Polycrystalline solar panels

[clyst]

Are they any good ?

cheers

 

[Blueboatman]

Yup

 

[Buck Turgidson]

but not as good as mono.

 

[Aurai]

Thought the technology was getting closer and manufacturing build might be the determinant? Peak efficiencies can be very close together and that sales point apart, cost per w? Might be something to look at.

 

[coopec]

TWO QUESTIONS
For (say) 100W what would the area be for Mono and for Poly. ( I've heard the poly panels need a larger area for a given output. That probably wouldn't be a problem on a roof but it could be a problem on a boat)

For (say) 100W what would the cost be for Mono and Poly (roughly)

 

[clyst]

Panels I'm looking at are 100w with a size of 1170 x 660 they will fit ok and will no doubt be Chinese at £85 a go so maybe worth a punt ?

 

[coopec]

clyst

For comparison I can get a 100W Mono delivered to Perth WA for $132 plus freight $25. The size is 101cm X 51cm and is semi-flexible so you could bend it over your deck. So a mono is significantly smaller. According to my calculation the price is similar.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Power-10.../221382305347?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item338b69e643

 

[BruceDanforth]

Be wary of 'optimistic' power outputs on ebay panels if that is the way you are thinking. They might give you the stated power in the middle of a desert somewhere. I looked into it but managed to get 2 of the 20W Nasa panels cheap as factory repairs which seem to be rated more honestly.

 

[maby]

I seem to remember reading that monocrystalline are better in direct sunlight, but their output degrades faster than polycrystalline as the light levels drop.

 

[VicS]

Panels I'm looking at are 100w with a size of 1170 x 660 they will fit ok and will no doubt be Chinese at £85 a go so maybe worth a punt ?

Check the specs to be sure their output is correct for what you require. Be looking for an open circuit (no load)voltage a little in excess of 20volts and a maximum power voltage around 15 to 17 volts.

Some people have been caught out by panels that do not match these voltages and which are therefore useless when required to charge 12 volt batteries.

 

[clyst]

Thanks for all your tech advice chaps much appreciated .

looks like .........mono 21 v open circuit 17v max power for £90.

 

[coopec]

Be wary of 'optimistic' power outputs on ebay panels if that is the way you are thinking.

The panels I was looking at are from an Australian crowd selling on eBay. But in Australia the whole industry is riddled with backyarders who are in it for a quick quid.

 

[BruceDanforth]

You get a bit more sunshine in Perth than I do here in the North East of England I suspect so it might be OK.

The panels I was looking at are from an Australian crowd selling on eBay. But in Australia the whole industry is riddled with backyarders who are in it for a quick quid.

 

[coopec]

Got it!!

Has anyone tried this?

Scotchkote™ Electrical Coating

http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/porta...rrosion-sprays/scotchkote-electrical-coating/