The "allowable hail load" doesn't specify the size of the steel ball.

Best price I could find being on the pension, ive ordered another one today expect it maybe next Wednesday, then I wont hardy have to use my 2 kva genny so much now.

At present it is over cast here getting 5.6 amps so a over cast day with 3 x 200 waters I would get at last 15 to 17 amps, full sun be app 33 amps. Also have done a bit of research here the Monocrystalline Module seems to be one of the best on the market as I see it.

Given up buying 2 nd hand 60 watt panels, ive still got one up on the van I be taking it down and put a hammer to it . also if your after good long life deep cycle batteries I got 2 from Qld 280 amp hour each was almost $1200.00 and I think they last up towards 10 years.

http://www.aussiebatteriessolar.com.au/batteries/deep-cycle-agm/280ah-12v-agm-deep-cycle-battery

I was curious, so I did a bit of research, too.

Apparently the IEC 61215 standard defines a Hail Impact Test Protocol. Clause 10.17 stipulates that the solar panel is to be impacted with "ice balls" at 11 different locations. The standard allows the manufacturer to test his panel against "hail stones" of 8 different sizes ranging from 12.5mm to 75mm. The mass and velocity of each ice ball are set by the standard, with the velocity being higher for the heavier balls (to match those terminal velocities typically found in nature).

See page 2 of this document:
www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/pvmrw12_poster_si_uselton.pdf

AFAICT, most manufacturers choose to be certified against the 25mm ice balls. These have a mass of 7.53g and must strike the panel with a velocity of 23m/s, resulting in a kinetic energy of 1.85J.

A little more research would suggest that many manufacturers drop a 227g (= 0.5lb) steel ball from a height of 1m rather than using ice balls.

An object located at a height of 1m above the ground would have a potential energy given by ...

E = mass x g x 1m

This energy would be converted to kinetic energy when the ball hits the ground, so the kinetic of the steel ball would be ...

0.227 x 9.8 x 1 = 2.22 joules

Therefore ISTM that solar panel manufacturers are using a steel ball test that closely mimics the 25mm ice ball test. That is, a typical panel should withstand 1 inch hailstones.

Have been following this thread

With interest as I have Been contemplating

Installing a 200 watt panel on the roof of

My Land Rover 110 County to run a small

Fridge (not yet purchased either) anyhow

Was/am thinking a 2oo watt panel and a AGM

100 amp battery would seem to be the recommended

Buts also a controller/regulator required its from on the same site e.g

NEW - MPPT Waterproof 10A Solar Controller Regulator 12V/24V Battery Charger

Your thoughts gratefully received

-- Edited by dING on Saturday 12th of April 2014 04:17:02 PM

I am very tempted to order one of these. Would have to get it delivered to Emerald Queensland as that is my next port of call, then of course found someone there to fit it.
Does anyone know of a solar panel installer in Emerald?

As most times we get a warning of a hail storm, so I will get some thin foam rubber cut it to size for each panel put it over the panels and use jock straps to hold the foam rubber down, a easy fix I say

-- Edited by graham (chickenman) on Sunday 13th of April 2014 11:22:32 AM

Thanks Graham, have written all that down. Will have to measure my roof to see if it would fit and also get it installed professionally, as not capable of doing it myself.

Thanks for that.
Have found a Campertrailer place who sells and installs solar panels in Emerald thanks to msg.
Will ring them tomorrow to get their prices and if they will install one I get in.

Troppey, clear sky here but I think coming into winter we don't get the full rays off the sun? Last week I had just over 10 amps at midday.

Is the amps going to the battery important considering that the battery may be close to full and the reg is limiting the input..
The Voltage of the battery is the only important factor,
The voltage before full light and at the end of the day.

I like to see my batteries at around 13.6 of an arvo and around 12.8 early morning..

Oldbobsbus, same bob except I got 2 x 270 amp batteries, I run my tucker box freezer ad my bar fridge all night still got around 12.5 amps left early morning. Soon it be the elect blanket on my bed, it hardly uses any power over night on setting 1 or 2. Going to try using timer switches off the inverter, the bar frig on for a hour then off for 2 hrs and the same as my freezer. At a guess having 2 x 200 watt panels I should be able to put app 170 to 200 amps daily back into the batteries, upon being overcast its run the genny for 3 hrs with a 20 amp charger going. But in all I wont be using so much fuel in running my 2 kva generator, maybe get a 3 rd 200 watt panel be enough power amps  are full the regular goes into float mode.

My 3 rd 200 watter  panel be arriving by Toll in Whyalla tomorrow Thursday, hasn't been much sun here for app 4 days now, do need my 2 kva inverter genny to put some charge in my bank of batteries

Looking at forecast in my area looks overcast for maybe the next 5 days or so, so it be another 20 litres of fuel for the genny tomorrow:(

 

yes snow can bounce that amp meter around a extra 4 to 6 amps, oh overcast again to day

Puff puff just put my 3 rd 200 watter panel up -600 watts in all, time now for a scotch n cola  with ice

When it clears up here in about 5 days I be pumping in app 22 to 28 amps a a hour I guess, maybe more when its towards summer.

Will put a pic up tomorrow after bracing them all down to be secure.