Best type of Solar Panels

[Sonshine]

Hi

I live in the UK where sunshine is not always abundant!  I notice that some panels are advertised as working well in such areas.

is there a best type of solar panel for not so sunny applications?  Or are there ways of making panels work better.  For example I saw something on Youtube about using a fresnel lense on a panel?

Thanks!

Trevor

[dbcollen]

The best panels are any you can afford. I know you are refering to the claims of some panels that they get more efficient in low light conditions, in reality the increase is negligable at best, I have a year of logged data from 2 solar arrays, one is 2Kw of First solar FS-50 CdTe Thin films (which clain a 10% increase in efficiency @ 400W/M Vs 1000W/M) And 1710 Watts of Evergreen 190s. There is no real difference percentage wise between the 2 arrays in any given sun conditions. One array goes through a MX-60, the other goes through a FM-80, all the same setpoints.

The Thinfilms are 48V nominal, 20 panels in parallel, the evergreens are 3 series, 3 parallel for 54 volts nominal, so it is pretty much a apples to apples comparison.

Dustin

[Sonshine]

Hi Dustin

Thats very helpful.  Thanks.  I'm just getting started so just trying to get my head round the options and discover what questions I need to ask!

Trevor

[Jon Miller]

What type of solar panel are you referring to, solar thermal or photo voltaic (electricity)?

[tanner0441]

Hi

Don't know if it will help, but I have 40W of PV 20 Amorphic and 20 Monocrystaline, I don't see much difference in low light between the two but the Amorphic is nearly 3 times the surface area. I use a PWM controler and the panel light is on until it is nearly too dark to see but the ameter sits on the back stop until it is what you would call a bright day.  Snow on the flat roof helps......  Though I must be in the only part of the UK without much snow.

Brian.

[Sonshine]

Hi Brian

Great to hear from you, especially as you are in the UK.  I am just getting started and would love to hear about your system and what you power from it etc?

Thanks

Trevor

[Junkie]

My amorphous panels take up  lot of spce for their power output. The next panels I get will be mono or poly types.