effectiveness of solar & wind

[SmartCaptain]

Hi All,
I've been living on the hook for two years now. I have 400 watts of solar and 100 watts of wind (Ampair 100). Now that the days are sunny and longer, I have ample power, mostly from the solar. I use about 150 to 175v amp-hours each day for computer / fridge / lights / etc. My battery bank is small (total of 300 Ah of which I only like to use the "top" 100 amps) so I have to generate what I use each day. One key to effective solar is being able to tilt/turn panels to track the sun. I take a break from work each hour or so to manually track.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

[hellosailor]

Wind Magic-
Actually, you can't exceed the rated power output of a solar panel by adding magnifiers, or a second sun, or anything like that. If you understand the ratings--they are a rating based on standard conditions, including a standard light source. They simply don't apply to non-standard environments or other clever tricks.
I've seen reports that with extensive use of reflectors, tracking, etc. you can sometimes exceed the rated output for a limited time each day, and a limited amount. But exceeding it by 80% and doing that from sunrise to sunset stretches my credulity. I'd just LOVE to see some objective and unquestionable numbers backing that up, since it would mean that solar was nearly twice as cheap (cost-effective) for everyone INCLUDING ME!

[sailingdog]

Unfortunately, when it comes to solar panels, there is a lot of misinformation out there.

[camaraderie]

Yup...that is why the California rating system came out cause they felt the mfr. test conditions were way too optimistic even though the mfr. system is still what is advertised. Under the California "real world" testing the actual performance of ANY panel is almost always significantly less than the mfr. gives. Dog posted the site before but if you want to see how almost any panel performs before you buy...check here...
Eligible Photovoltaic Modules

[sailingdog]

Cam-

thanks for the credit, but it was someone else who posted that site

EDIT >>>YEP IT WAS CRUISING DAD. Thanks! Cam

[hellosailor]

Cam-
And an interesting note found at
Solar Electric Panels

"Notice about Sanyo Solar Panels Warranty Issue: As of April 1, 2007, the modified Sanyo warranty states that the warranty will be void if the "average temperature exceeds" -4 degrees or +104 degrees F. Since this applies to about 3/4 of the places where solar panels might be installed in the US, we are no longer recommending the Sanyo panels until we can get some clarification and modification of this. If the current warranty stands as it says, we will no longer sell the Sanyo panels."

And a new technology from Sanyo:

"Power from Both Sides Simultaneously
Increased power generation compared to our conventional single-sided HIT panels at any angle and any direction. In vertical installations, faced south, power generation is increased 34%. The back side of the panel generates electricity (kWh) from ambient light that has passed through the panel or is reflected off surrounding surfaces.

High Efficiency
SANYO HIT Double solar panels are a leader in cell and module efficiency. You obtain maximum power within a fixed amount of space. And, depending on your installation design and location albedo, HIT Double panels can capture additional back side ambient light, and can increase your system performance by an additional 10% (or more). You save costs using fewer support materials, wiring, and spend less time installing. These powerful panels are ideal for grid-connected solar systems, areas with performance-based incentives, and renewable energy credits.

Temperature Attributes
As temperatures rise, SANYO HIT Double solar panels produce more electricity than conventional crystalline silicon solar panels at the same temperature. "

(Which probably is not be the one they are talking about in the heat issue.)

And from Real Goods, who have been major vendors of off-the-grid solutions since the 1970's:
http://colorado.realgoodssolar.com/d...lgoods2004.pdf
"STC or "Name Plate" Ratings: STC stands for Standard Test Conditions. It is the rated output in watts that the manufacturer puts on its photovoltaic (PV) modules under laboratory-perfect conditions."

But let's wait, and see. Does anyone know an email contact at Practical Sailor, to confirm if they are testing the panel, and to ask them about verifying the numbers shown on the controller by another means?

[stoutwench]

FYI

By Thomas Claburn
InformationWeek

December 6, 2006 02:00 PM

A breakthrough in solar cell technology promises to make solar power a cost-competitive energy option and to reduce U.S. dependence on oil.

With funding from the Department of Energy, Boeing-Spectrolab has managed to create a solar cell with 40.7% sunlight-to-energy conversion efficiency, said DoE assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy Alexander Karsner on Tuesday.

The solar cell represents "the highest efficiency level any photovoltaic device has ever achieved," according to David Lillington, president of Spectrolab. That claim has been verified by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.

Most of today's solar cells are between 12% and 18% efficient. Some of the ones used to power satellites are around 28% efficient. In 1954, 4% efficiency was state of the art.

High energy prices and environmental concerns are prompting businesses to consider solar power. In October, Google said it planned to install 9,200 solar photovoltaic panels at its Mountain View headquarters in 2007. Google's solar panels, made by Sharp, are 12.8% efficient. It expects to generate 30% of its peak energy usage during the summer from solar power.

Roger

[CosmosMariner]

I'd like to know the standard those DOE percentages are based on.

[CosmosMariner]

Cam..... the kid has his act together. His Watkins 27 was a very sound choice for the Bahamas cruise but the circumnavigation calls for a different boat. I could tell him or he could get on a forum and get lots of opinions but now he KNOWS from his own experience. And he knows WHY he wants more displacement and why light displacement boats are not for him on the next trip. (now I tie it into this thread) Just like this thread about solar power the discussion of what boats are right for what purposes has many dimensions and opinions. Because of that real life experience he now knows what works (for him) in power generation and he is busy preparing not debating. I love this thread and the info that is being shared and apparently so do alot of other folks or it wouldn't be 50 pages!

[sailingdog]

Roger-

Unfortunately, a new breakthrough will take years to get to the commercial marketplace. I doubt we'll see any massive improvement in the solar technology available to us any time soon.

IIRC, there was another breakthrough announced about five years ago that had made solar photocells that could be put on a cloth substrate, but I've yet to see that come to the marketplace.