Solar charging with some shade
I'm facing west today, so I'm getting a pretty good shadow on one of six series-connected panels. Panels are all around 135w @ 12v. Shade is on the far-left panel - about half of it: No...
Forum Discussion
Yes in series. For my setup I have the effect of 9 panel sections and if any 2 or more get sun I have charging. ie 20V out of 90V. Lets say 2 sections on one panel and 1 section on another panel have sun. That gives me 3/9 of the voltage or 30V from the panels.
There is no real advantage to disconnecting a shaded panel because:
1. In partial sun the sections can produce power.
2. The sun moves and the shadows are soon gone and who wants to climb back on the roof?
The best approach is to tilt to the optimal angle for the latitude and orient the rig for maximum solar power. Or add another panel. Or raise the flat panels as I did and not have any rig created sun shadows. Lots of options.
There is no real advantage to disconnecting a shaded panel because:
1. In partial sun the sections can produce power.
2. The sun moves and the shadows are soon gone and who wants to climb back on the roof?
The best approach is to tilt to the optimal angle for the latitude and orient the rig for maximum solar power. Or add another panel. Or raise the flat panels as I did and not have any rig created sun shadows. Lots of options.
