My Solar Panels 60% power increase?

[gotwind2]

I connected up my 8 year old 500mA monocrystalline panel today and out of interest took a current reading.

I have never seen more than 500mA even in sunny June from my solar panel.

Today my multimeter is reading 840 mA???

Temperature is 9 deg C. We have had a lot of snow recently, maybe this contributes to more reflected light and increased power somehow - probably wrong.

Thoughts welcomed.

Ben.

[disaray1]

Ben...that's probably about right...cooler is better. The nominal ratings apply at 25degC, and colder temps bring the current right up. It's like a bonus.

 Have fun,

 David

[jimjjnn]

Sun reflecting off snow and cooler panel

[TomW]

Ben;

I see an increase, too but not at that level. maybe 15 to 20% but never investigated beyond noticing that rather than the 9 amps I see in summer I am getting 10+ now in full sun but we get true cold here a lot.

I just smile and burn it up ;=>

Cheers.

TomW

[commanda]

First, check the batteries in your multimeter, I have several meters that read high when the batteries are low.

Second, have a look at Poulek's concentrating traxle. He claims the mirrors increase output by up to 100%.

http://www.solar-trackers.com/concentrator2.htm

Amanda

[richhagen]

Also, in general, a cold battery in your meter will put out less power than a warmer battery.  Just like car batteries, the reaction rates  for the chemical reactions decreases for almost all common battery types.  Rich

[Spdlmt150]

I have seen the same thing with my four pw-750 panels. Snow on the ground (reflected light) and cooler temps almost double the AH I get from the panels on a good day - I do have some shading later in the day. Now if I could see sunlight more than a couple days a month during the winter.....

I remember reading an article many years ago about an antarctic monitoring station. They mounted panels vertically. The reasoning was that the reflected light from the snow & ice boosted output, and the vertical orientation kept them from packing with snow.