Solar Panel Output - Further North/Longer Days?

[Smitty77]

I did a quick search, and missed it if this has been commented on before.

So, the further we Go North, the worse the angle for flat mounted solar panels.

But, along with this in the June - Sept timeframe, we have longer days.

Then of course the weather kicks in, with cloudy days also impacting output. And ask me in October of 2014 how the rainy season was:)!

So I was wondering what kind of output has been observed by others? Is it a wash, a gain from say mid area of the 48 states, or a lower output?

We expect to do plenty of Boondocking along the way in 2014. We have the generator, but with 1200 Watts and 800AH of house battery - we're hoping to not need to run the generator too much.

Experience SP travelers to this region will have answered this question form their trips, so figured I'd ask you have seen.

TIA,
Smitty

[TheBearAK]

I couldn't re-find the specific data page, but you might check out:

http://www.cchrc.org

They post a lot of results on solar energy in Alaska.

Our local battery shop here also builds, test and researches all types of energy, including solar.

http://www.absak.com/library/renewable-energy-tech-notes

[EsoxLucius]

Smitty77 wrote:

-Five Sharp/Panasonic 240W 48V panels
-Midnight Solar Classic 150 Controller
-Four L16's Lifeline AGM's
-Magnum MS2800 PSW, and all of the normal components

That should do it! :W

[Smitty77]

Thanks to you both. We're still learning the in's and out's of the 're-do'. One thing we learned in September while in Breckenridge, CO - 6" of snow on top of the SP's, will basically shut you down:)!

Over a 5 month period last year, we added:
-Five Sharp/Panasonic 240W 48V panels
-Midnight Solar Classic 150 Controller
-Four L16's Lifeline AGM's
-Magnum MS2800 PSW, and all of the normal components

Our shake down trip in September, revealed we had a few of the Negative wires on the wrong side of the Shunt, so our Magnum BMK-Meter was giving us some real strange readings. Once we got that sorted out, the BMK-Meter is reporting pretty accurately from what I can tell.

I had heard that Up North was very hard on flat mounted SP's (which we did, to avoid the need to climb and tilt, by adding about 400-500W more then I figured we'd need). But had hoped the longer days would be enough to compensate.

Best to you both, and all,
Smitty

[lonnie4801]

We only have 360 watt of panels. Three months in Alaska only had to run the generator 2 hours when we had 2 continuous days of heavy overcast. They don't charge much in the early morning hours, but without overcast they do charge a little. Then when the sun comes out they really go ape.

Wish I had enough room on top for 1,200 watts.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

With 1200 watts of solar even with an absorption fridge I would be able to run 100% from the panels, starting the genny only to exercise it for much of the year.

May I ask you to describe your solar system in more detail?

Charging at 50.45663,-104.609871 is not an issue between May and October.

From June 15 to July 15 I harvest about 100 amp-hours per day--if the batteries are needing the power. (or if I run the inverter with a decent load). I don't have figures for other months.

Now that I full time I hope to bump up from 256 watts by adding an additional 800 watts of panels.