Performance of Large Outback system [RE-wrenches]
Matt Tritt
solarone at charter.net
Mon Oct 18 13:15:24 PDT 2004
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Another good point, Bill.
No, we didn't take irradiance readings at this site. I know that it's
slightly iff'y and subjective, but I can say that it was extremely clear and
bright (an HOT) the day we observed the readings from the SB's. Another site
I visited (a totally different situation involving 12 Sharp 175's and an
MX60) was performing very well - but it's also on a tracker.
Got any suggestions for a meter that doesn't cost as much as a new pickup?
It would be cool if inverter companies would offer an option for an
irradiance sensor that could be mounted at the array and read on the
inverter display. Hell, why not a thermometer as well?
Matt T
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Brooks" <billb at endecon.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 9:24 AM
Subject: RE: Performance of Large Outback system [RE-wrenches]
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Darryl, Matt, and Doug,
Where are your irradiance measurements? How do any of your output readings
have any meaning without an irradiance measurement? Do any of you own a
Daystar meter or do you have a spare module that you can get a Isc
measurement from? Carl brings an important point about temperature, but it
is a much lower order effect than irradiance. No power measurement should
even be written down without a corresponding irradiance measurement.
Forgive me for bringing up my pet peeve again, but I recently came from an
installation of one of the most knowledgeable installers in the state. The
array wasn't working well so they suggested removing the 3 C-40 charge
controllers and installing 3 MX-60 charge controllers in their place (a
very
expensive proposition as you all know).
The problem had nothing to do with the C-40s. A quick check of the string
currents showed a 3:1 differential from the best string to the worst
string.
As it turned out with further inspection (with a $21K Daystar curve tracer
that I don't expect anyone to own), that every single string had failed
modules. The array will be replaced, but the sad thing is that this "very
knowledgeable" installer could not tell that the array was a total mess
and
suggested a fix that did absolutely no good.
My plans are to design an advance PV Design, Installation, and
Troubleshooting course. Is there any interest from current installers?
I've
been working with grid-connected systems for over 16 years now, and I'm
learning new things every single day.
Understand that I am not trying to be patronizing about this--I'm just
trying to get installers to do things properly so that they can be
confident
with the results of any measurements they make on their systems. Please go
back and send some information on performance that is related to
irradiance
and temperature. I'm sure everyone on the list is interested in
informative
results.
Bill.
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