HI guys might be a dumb question but is there something in the air up here in wa were neer broom and have noticed our input has dropped of . If this isn't the case my panels are dying at the same rate
dibs
-- Edited by mr glassies on Saturday 24th of June 2017 11:16:56 AM
Hello Office Dibble, have you tried cleaning the dirt off them? The rain alone won't do it, those black bits that build up on the glass and along the edges block the sun getting to the active part of the panel and has a similar effect to parking under a tree. Give ém a real good wash and rinse and then a coat of No2 cut and polish to get the last of the garbage off, you will be surprised just how much is still on the glass even after you washed it. sap from the trees is another performance killed but the polish gets it off and stops it from sticking there next time
T1 Terry
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OK Terry, what is #2. We do wash occasionally but will do what we need to do to get maximum efficiency.
Currently at 7800' (2400 m) in mountains of northern New Mexico and solar insolation is quite good. We will be spending a month on lake in Colorado at almost the same elevation. We have spent several weeks at 10,400' (3170 m) and the insolation is quite high. Unsure of the effect of increased atmosphere on solar insolation.
OK Terry, what is #2. We do wash occasionally but will do what we need to do to get maximum efficiency.
Currently at 7800' (2400 m) in mountains of northern New Mexico and solar insolation is quite good. We will be spending a month on lake in Colorado at almost the same elevation. We have spent several weeks at 10,400' (3170 m) and the insolation is quite high. Unsure of the effect of increased atmosphere on solar insolation.
Reed
Over here there is a car polish with a small amount of cutting compound added to remove the old faded paint and the polish to seal the new surface. With the solar panels, the cutting compound won't scratch glass but it will cut through the film that builds up that washing alone will not remove, then the polish adds a coating so the film and other things that like to spatter on the panels can't stick so easily wash off. Another coat of good quality polish would save needing to use the No2 cut and polish again if it was done every 3 mths or so, much like washing and polishing the car, but as long as the panels are out of sight they are out of mind until they stop working properly, so the whole process often needs to be repeated a few yrs later
Quite common to see the car being washed over here, I don't think I've seen anyone up there washing and polishing their panels
T1 Terry
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You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.
Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links
Hey.
Wet them. Soak them. Wet again and scrub with stiff broom.
If still not happy.
a alrge tube of sooth paste will do reasonanble job of cutting, etc.
I've never polished my panels. NOR van yet.
CT 20 is all.
Oh. Specially up in them thar mountin's.
Higher up. Thinner the air. MORE efficient the panels.
LESS efficient the breathing thoigh.
"I" only have one lung working.
MEX City finished me off at 8 thou plus.
Had to forgo Machu Pichu that trip.
Unfortunately. I'ts a coastal bound body nowadays.
Lima. Santiago and along the coast a bit was nice though.
And to think in my running days I used to do mountain running.
(Had 2 lungs)
To add to toothpaste .. It makes a GREAT cutting compound on plastic head light , when they go cloudy ..Rub them with damp cloth & past .. Atleast good for your confidence !! Lol
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 2nd of July 2017 10:53:31 PM
Hey Dibs, I'd go with the washing of the panels with warm soapy water you may need to soak them first as they can get a built up layer of scum or a lichen in some cases, cleaned my house panels with a soft broom had to do them again because of a lichen build up. Don't use any cutting compound or toothpaste it only scratches the glass, glass has a very smooth unblemished surface why scratch it? This will only lead to scum sticking to the surface!
SOME.. Panels have 'corrugated ippled glass.
On the belief that the more uneven the surface. the more there is,
IF laid out flat.
Hence. larger area of UV gets through to Cells..Plus catching rays for longer
through differing angles created.
There is quite a bit written on it. Pyramid panels interesting too.
And when on cranes with Water board on Dams and Spillways in '70's.
We formed up three or 4? with "sawtooth" Spillway walls.
Smaller ones. not full size.
IE.
MORE waterflow over same point to point (straight line measure) Spill.
It actually works. Gets water level down quicker, in heavy rains, runoffs.
Example 80ft point to point. 97 or more ft sawtooth.
Same measure of flow over wall.
One gives waaay more total volume than t'other. in same space of time.
Heyyyyy.
we learn more utterly useless things EVERY day.
Don't we. Chuckle.
Like, when I was 12 I chucked every time I went out in a big boat (serious)
Didn't chuckle much while doing that. Believe me.
Just retch when empty. You don't stop "Barkin".
13. I was a working deckie on deep water open decked trawlers.
You CAN do anything. When you set your mind to it.
I wanted OUT.... Of where I came from. At any cost.
Boundary layer comes into effect .. Pyramid won't reflect the suns rays as much, actually incaptulate rays . if there's salt on panel ? Which there's heaps up there ! It could have an effect also.. Warm water wash ? Just be aware that some water up there is VERY high in minerals !! Esp south of Broom ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 6th of July 2017 11:32:20 PM
