Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

I have 4 panels (Kyocera) that we've used for 12 years. Still working.
Thinking of a hard dodger and new panels, Some boats have panels that
don't charge if the furled headsail or even a spin halyard shadow is
on the panels - what's the spec or measurement to look for wrt shade
tolerance?

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

That's old technology. The newer panels are not nearly as
sensitive to minor partial shading. I've never seen any specs
that describe this affect in a quantitative manner.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a
lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop
casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

That's old technology. The newer panels are not nearly as
sensitive to minor partial shading. I've never seen any specs
that describe this affect in a quantitative manner.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a
lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop
casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

So how do I know which ones to buy ?

On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 16:46:22 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

That's old technology. The newer panels are not nearly as
sensitive to minor partial shading. I've never seen any specs
that describe this affect in a quantitative manner.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a
lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop
casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

So how do I know which ones to buy ?

On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 16:46:22 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

That's old technology. The newer panels are not nearly as
sensitive to minor partial shading. I've never seen any specs
that describe this affect in a quantitative manner.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used
panels. Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of
the cells in that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem
stems for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series
and if you have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group
will be effected..

Kinda like having a bad NiCad cell in a battery pack or a bad cell in a
lead
acid battery..

I have been using a pair of Solrex VLX 53s for ten years and I just learn
to live with this problem. On my current boat I have them on my radar arch
and that seems to have eleminated most of the shadow problem. However, now
that I have added a wind generator, I now have problem with the prop
casting
a shadow on the panels.. Not to bad if it is spinning.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 09:46:57 +0000, Steve wrote:

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used panels.
Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of the cells in
that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem stems
for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series and if you
have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group will be effected..


That's why I've never mounted mine. It's just a loose panel, so I'm free to
place it wherever there is max sun and min shade. Takes a little "hands-on", but
works good. (and haven't lost it overboard in 5 years!)

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

On Wed, 03 Mar 2004 09:46:57 +0000, Steve wrote:

I believe the problem you discribe is common to most all commonly used panels.
Any shadow across the cells will cut off or diminish the output of the cells in
that region.

Yes, even a rigging or halyard can effect the output.. The whole problem stems
for the fract that the cells or groups of cells are wired in series and if you
have reduced output from one cell the remainder in that group will be effected..


That's why I've never mounted mine. It's just a loose panel, so I'm free to
place it wherever there is max sun and min shade. Takes a little "hands-on", but
works good. (and haven't lost it overboard in 5 years!)

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36

Solar panels - what's the measurement of shade tolerance
 

Once I mounted my panels on top of my radar arch, I realize that I couldn't
see the sea gull $hit on them and now it's just a routine to check them
every day or so with a wet towel.

My ultimate solution was to add a wind generator to over come this problem
and the lack of sun here in the PAC NW.. Beside out sun angles average to be
too low for efficient solar here..

If you have a specific objective in solar requirements, then the solution
may be to add more solar area.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions