nashou
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Tech in Training.....
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Post by nashou on Mar 31, 2015 23:10:23 GMT -5
Best day of the year so far !!! No leaves and a sunny day for the most part. I had .77w in February!!! lol all the panels were snow covered the whole month.   My best day last year I think was 47. Lets see if I can hit 50 this year !!!! Nashou |
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Post by mastertech on Mar 31, 2015 23:42:54 GMT -5
Do your panels face directly south?
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nashou
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Tech in Training.....
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Post by nashou on Apr 1, 2015 7:40:00 GMT -5
Do your panels face directly south? Yes pretty much maybe off 5°-10° to the east. I have 29 Solarworld 270 Watt panels tied into two SMS Sunnyboy inverters. One is a 3000TL and a 5000TL 9 (US models limited to a 600VDC input total) The Sb 3000TL has one string of 9 panels and the SB 5000TL has two strings of 9.   Nashou |
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Post by mastertech on Apr 1, 2015 9:44:42 GMT -5
Yes, I have admired your setup. Was there an option for a heated panel to keep the snow off?
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nashou
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Tech in Training.....
Posts: 1,239
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Post by nashou on Apr 1, 2015 10:59:04 GMT -5
Yes, I have admired your setup. Was there an option for a heated panel to keep the snow off? I never asked and it was not brought up, But I think it be a good idea since I had no production in February due to snow. I am looking into it for this year's winter. Any suggestions? I use SMS inverters. not sure if there is any thing specific just for that. Nashou |
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Post by mastertech on Apr 2, 2015 9:58:48 GMT -5
I did a quick look and see they do make a panel with a built in heater but looks like most just rely on the sun to melt off the snow. Good thing you are not completely off grid.
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 7, 2015 2:47:11 GMT -5
Not much you can do about the snow, unless your garden hose happens to work in winter...
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 7, 2015 2:50:14 GMT -5
Heres a couple graphs from my SMA Sunnyboy 3000TL-21 ( Specs of the AU version differ from the US version in that mine has a 750v DC max input and 15A per MPPT ) :  |
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 7, 2015 2:52:26 GMT -5
And here is what the inverter had to say about a simular day:  This is not my best output, but pretty close to it. Red lining for more than 7 hours. |
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 7, 2015 2:56:13 GMT -5
Nash, what is the best you get per inverter on your installation?
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 7, 2015 3:05:05 GMT -5
If you want to get up on that roof, you could apply Rainex before the snow comes, itll likely slide straight off.
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Post by mastertech on Apr 8, 2015 22:25:59 GMT -5
I wonder if roof de-icing cable would be to hot for the glass. I'm sure the glass gets pretty hot in the summer sun on that hot roof though.
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 8, 2015 22:47:45 GMT -5
The glass is extremely durable and tollerant, in summer itll exceed 75°c easily, and will need to be able to cope with being hit with cold rain at that temp, lots of steam and fog.
The backing material is not quite so long lasting, although generally if its kept cooler itll last no worries.
Heat-trace cable probably wont be anywhere near that hot to cause issues, but is unlikely to be overly effective either.
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nashou
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Tech in Training.....
Posts: 1,239
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Post by nashou on Apr 9, 2015 8:52:38 GMT -5
Casey, looks like your inverter is clipping. Might need to to go to a 4000TL. I might try to use a tree sprayer and get up on a ladder and spray the Windshield Washer version of rain X up there. 4 dollars a gallon. And I am wondering about the Ice Clear product we/You want to use for the glycol replacement from Orison. It is designed for de icing Air plane wings and windows. Hmmm I wonder if it is pre apply or an after the ice is on ? Here is a shot from the best day this year. March 29th. The best my US3000TL was 2.88kWh and the US5000TL was 4.59kWh, Having the added 100VDC the AUS system can handle gives you Casey the extra VDC you can add.  Nashou |
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Post by Casethecorvetteman on Apr 9, 2015 19:43:52 GMT -5
Inverters dont "clip" Nash, they are a load to the panels. I have no idea who started that line of thought off, but its not how it works.
The inverter will load up the panels until it either reaches maximum available power it can economically draw on, or until it reaches the maximum input capacity of the inverter. It does not ever "clip" or "dump" power. Its like saying you car starter motor clips power when you start the engine, because that battery can easily supply more current than is required to power that load, and the car's computer and electricals even more so.
That is based on an assumption that solar panels push out power regardless of connected load. Theyre a ripple free DC power supply the same as a battery. With no load, zero current will flow. There is no magic tricks at all, its simple ohm's law.
My inverter is sized based on local government limits, 3kW is the maximum in can install here. I could go a 7000TL and still ride a 3 hour redline. When you design systems to an inverter output limit, you must aim to have that inverter at its maximum output as long as possible. This means provide the inverter with enough supply to run at best efficiency with no yield loss. Higher voltage, lower current, less heat, best efficiency.
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