experience with solarex, solec, kyocera & seimens modules [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

<x-flowed>Yo Tom,
I'm with you on the Siemens. I just wish they (and everybody else) 
would give 45 or 50 degree C ratings. BTW, I've had a few Kyocera 
J-48 modules from 1989 or so vintage go blooey. Kyocera made them 
right (at my expense to remove them and send them back, of course), 
but there you are.
Best, Bob-O


>Some comments about multicrystalline Solarex and Kyocera, and Siemens panels.
>
>During the 80's we uses Solarex, Solec, and Siemens panels almost 
>exclusively - we noticed a lot of Solarex panels would have voltage 
>but no amperage on extremely hot summer days.  We labeled this 
>thermal intermittance.  There was a large failure rate of Solarex 
>modules.  They replaced all modules under their warranty.  I would 
>never recommend Solarex modules.  We never experienced this failure 
>on Solec or Siemens (Arco) modules.  In 1989 we started using 
>Kyocera modules - they never had this stype of failure either.
>
>In 1996 we moved our offices to the edge of a swamp at Paynes 
>Praire.  It is a place full of alligators, deer etc.  When the 
>Praire floods the alligators often block the highway sun bathing on 
>the pavement.  Our office and warehouse are under huge Live Oak 
>trees covered with Spanish oak. It's a horrible spot for solar 
>energy.  We have  to face our solar arrays east, souteast across the 
>highway to get half a day of power.  It is often foggy earlier in 
>the morning until noon.  The single crystal Siemens modules put four 
>times the amount of power into the battery bank under those 
>conditions than Solarex or Kyocera modules.  I'm convinced single 
>crystal panels work better under low sun conditons.  Any wrenches 
>who stop by, I'll treat you to an aligator and crawdad lunch and a 
>visit  14 feet long gators.
>Tom Lane

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