Altitude effects on PV performance [RE-wrenches]

[Tom Elliot, Guffey Energy Works]

My system is installed at 9000'.  The other day, even without optimimum
panel angle, we got 1209 watts of actual output from our 1200 watt (nominal
rating) panel array (mix of 6 Solec S-100 and 8 BP-75) through our SB-50
MPPT controller.  The system is 8 years old, the weather was cold and not
completely clear (bright sunshine but hazy) with some snow for reflectance.
I'm rather pleased about that.

And yes, some good indicator of insolation at altitude would be great,
though there are a lot of other factors at play also.

Tom Elliot


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dana Orzel" <dana at solarwork.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 10:13 PM
Subject: Altitude effects on PV performance [RE-wrenches]


> I have several installs at 10,000 ft. el. to 13,200ft. el.
> Without a snow field in front of the collector @ 10,000 ft. el., I have
seen
> 20% to 30% output increase or 2% to 3% per 1,000 ft. el. depending on
> temperature, the colder obviously the more output.
> Add a snow field reflecting up at the array and that has added an
additional
> 15%. Add edge of cloud effect and I have seen spikes of 50% over PV panel
> rating at 13,200 Ft.
> Your controller needs to be over sized to allow for this rarified output.
> Allow more time for the installation too, oxygen is 30 to 32% less than
sea
> level and you will not be working nearly as fast.
> Have fun !!
>



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