[RE-wrenches] crystalline VS uni-solar

[Matt Tritt]

Hi Jay,

 From my own Unisolar installations, and many comments from installers 
all over the US, I have to say that the system on the North coast is 
some kind of an anomaly if it isn't performing at least as well as a 
crystalline system of = power rating at the same or similar site with 
the same or similar degree of pitch. One possible answer could be 
related to the height of the standing seams at this installation, since 
the higher the seam, the greater the losses from shading (assuming that 
the array is oriented South). I have had good results from a shallow 
pitched East/West roof (!) with US modules because of the reduced 
morning and evening shading from the seams, and maybe not such great 
output from Southerly oriented arrays with a high standing seam roof.

However, it is absolutely the case that Unisolar modules will still 
produce energy while partly shaded, and this applies to entire strings 
as well. Because of this, they are a great choice for locations that 
might experience transient shading from utility poles, chimneys, trees, etc.

Matt T

jay peltz wrote:

> Hi Geoff,
>
> In regards to the performance between Unisolar and crystalline, there 
> is a side by side ( same watts, batteryless intertie with metering) 
> installation up here on the North coast of California, and the the 
> Unisolar is the constant under-performer.  This includes cloudy, 
> sunny, warm, cold weather.
>
> I have seen nothing in the field to support the Unisolar claims about 
> better performance in low light etc.  That said, they do work better 
> in very hot conditions, if thats what you have.
>
> jay
>
> peltz power
>
>
> On Oct 31, 2008, at 8:08 AM, Geoff Greenfield wrote:
>
>> As a follow up to my uni-solar post (and thanks to all who provided 
>> feedback),  I have a second request:
>>
>>  
>>
>> Any references to recent side-by side "shoot-outs" between Unisolar 
>> and conventional crystaline PV?  Scientific studies?  Your own wrench 
>> thoughts?
>>
>>  
>>
>> I am more and more often encountering confused customers that are 
>> considering unisolar systems at zero-tilt (we are at 40 degrees N), 
>> with plenty of partial shading, after getting a pitch about all sorts 
>> of advantages of Uni-Solar.  I think that this product has it's role 
>> and I occasionally sell it... But I am frustrated when I truly 
>> believe I can deliver a better net energy production with a tilted 
>> crystalline solution (avoiding the shaded areas).  
>> For a brighter energy future,
>>
>> Geoff Greenfield
>> Founder and CEO
>> *Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd.
>> *340 West State Street, Unit 25
>> Athens, OH 45701
>>
>> 740.597.3111     Fax 740.597.1548
>> www.Third-Sun.com <http://www.Third-Sun.com>
>>
>> /Clean Energy - Expertly Installed
>> /
>>
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