[RE-wrenches] NABCEP Exam was: PV excellent battery charger

[Drake Chamberlin]

Thanks Joel,

That was the type of information I was looking for.

At 01:36 PM 3/28/2010, you wrote:
>The PV industry started using 32 to 38 silicon single crystal solar 
>cells in series to charge 12-volt batteries. At first, 33-cell 
>modules were used without charge controllers for smaller PV systems 
>by balancing the size of the PV array with the load and battery 
>bank. Later, it was determined that 36-cell silicon single crystal 
>and multicrystalline cell modules in combination with a charge 
>controller provided reliable battery charging over a range of cell 
>temperatures and also reduced the size of the battery bank that was 
>previously used with unregulated systems. In the early 1980s, Arco 
>Solar claimed that 30-cell single crystal so-called 
>'self-regulating' solar modules could be used for 12-volt battery 
>charging without a charge controller. However, 30-cell modules did 
>not provide adequate charging voltage for 12-volt batteries in hot 
>and even in temperate climates. Still, PV is a excellent electric 
>power source and a properly sized PV system using 33- to 36-silicon 
>cell modules can charge 12-volt batteries well.
>
>Joel Davidson

Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648  
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