Altitude effects on PV performance [RE-wrenches]

[Tom Simko]

 I've noticed similar better then book performance with my 1200 watt array
at my over 6 K altitude, free (freeer) energy! Higher is better. Best tip I
ever heard on winter performance of PV was to take advantage of the snow
base, I set my panels very steep, almost 90 degrees, during the worst of the
winter, and get a higher output then the "best" angle for my latitude of 60
degrees. Sure helps the snow slid off also.

Tom Simko
Skyline Solar


on 3/1/03 12:20 PM, Tom Elliot, Guffey Energy Works at
telliot at wagonmaker.com wrote:

> 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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