Re: Solar Panels on Bimini with Split Backstay
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýTim,This is where quality and good design come into play. A panel can be designed to be less affected by shading by how the cells are wired and the quality of the cells. We have 2 150w Solara panels mounted over the bimini. The split backstay has little discernible effect on the power output. The radar pole has some effect, but I¡¯ve never taken the time to figure out how much, too much work and too many variables to account for. When I look at the daily out put of both panels they are very close to being even. When planning the design expect to get about 3x the nominal output on average; a 100w panel will average 300wh of power. Again, better quality and more efficient panels will tend to do better. Earlier this week my panels were producing a little over 500wh of power each under clear blue skies at ~30¡ã N in late February. In summer they have produced over 600 wh a day each. Total panel output will also depend on battery type and charge state. With LFP batteries the panels stay in the bulk stage for much longer. With LA batteries their output would go in absorption and put out less current. Another advantage of higher quality panels is smaller size. The Solara¡¯s were 3 or 4¡± narrower than similar panels from other brands.? Dave Second Star S362 #113 Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario
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