mono vs poly real life testing
Hi folks, This popped up and I thought it worth posting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ_jrSAk-DU
Forum Discussion
Several problems with the testing.
First, there is no full sun test to see how close they measure up to their rated output. This would have been the most important test for me.
Second, the cloud conditions he shows are highly variable and there is no way to know how much time elapses as he changes between panels. I have real time output on my remote control panel and in those kinds of clouds the watt output is continually moving up and down as the clouds pass across the sun. Conclusion is that the variation in irradiance could easily be most of the difference in the output he showed.
Third, the half-shaded panel either horizontal or vertical is a non-issue. In all cases the output is less than or equal to one amp. Who cares? None of them in those conditions will make a difference to your battery bank at the end of the day.
Solar panel efficiency is calculated by dividing the rated output by the area of the panel. Since poly panels are larger than mono panels for the same output they are less efficient than mono panels.
I just got back from a weeklong trip to the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness in Colorado. The elevation of the campsite was 9,500 feet, the trailer was pointed due South, the panels have a natural tilt of 5 degrees due to the slope of the roof and a 3 degree tilt to the sides due to the curvature of the roof. I have the capability to tilt further but chose not to for enhanced shoulder time. Noontime temperatures were in the mid-80s. Three of the days had on-off clouds, sunshine, rain, from late morning to evening.
As you all know, solar panels only produce what is used but here is my production for the eight days.
1.02 kwh, 71.7 ah
1.29 kwh, 92.1 ah
1.25 kwh, 90.2 ah
1.11 kwh, 81.8 ah
1.60 kwh, 115.4 ah
1.36 kwh, 97.3 ah
1.83 kwh, 132.1 ah
1.34 kwh, 95.2 ah
Four of the days I had peak outputs of 379, 383, 406 and 394 watts. This is pretty good for nine year old MONO panels rated at 370 watts. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can never reach rated output of your panels.
As far as mono/poly, buy what is on sale. There is not enough difference to matter.
First, there is no full sun test to see how close they measure up to their rated output. This would have been the most important test for me.
Second, the cloud conditions he shows are highly variable and there is no way to know how much time elapses as he changes between panels. I have real time output on my remote control panel and in those kinds of clouds the watt output is continually moving up and down as the clouds pass across the sun. Conclusion is that the variation in irradiance could easily be most of the difference in the output he showed.
Third, the half-shaded panel either horizontal or vertical is a non-issue. In all cases the output is less than or equal to one amp. Who cares? None of them in those conditions will make a difference to your battery bank at the end of the day.
Solar panel efficiency is calculated by dividing the rated output by the area of the panel. Since poly panels are larger than mono panels for the same output they are less efficient than mono panels.
I just got back from a weeklong trip to the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness in Colorado. The elevation of the campsite was 9,500 feet, the trailer was pointed due South, the panels have a natural tilt of 5 degrees due to the slope of the roof and a 3 degree tilt to the sides due to the curvature of the roof. I have the capability to tilt further but chose not to for enhanced shoulder time. Noontime temperatures were in the mid-80s. Three of the days had on-off clouds, sunshine, rain, from late morning to evening.
As you all know, solar panels only produce what is used but here is my production for the eight days.
1.02 kwh, 71.7 ah
1.29 kwh, 92.1 ah
1.25 kwh, 90.2 ah
1.11 kwh, 81.8 ah
1.60 kwh, 115.4 ah
1.36 kwh, 97.3 ah
1.83 kwh, 132.1 ah
1.34 kwh, 95.2 ah
Four of the days I had peak outputs of 379, 383, 406 and 394 watts. This is pretty good for nine year old MONO panels rated at 370 watts. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can never reach rated output of your panels.
As far as mono/poly, buy what is on sale. There is not enough difference to matter.
