Renewables: "talking 'bout my generation"

GaryMo_2

Sanyo HIT 240

Your panels have a rating of 240W with an output tolerance of +10% / -5% meaning the panel could output a maximum of 264W.
If, and it's a big if, all your panels ran at the maximum end of the tolerance scale you would have a maximum output of 16 x 264 = 4.224kW at STC. I can't honestly see all 16 panels running at a +10% tolerance though.

The inverter just processes the power, it doesn't generate it. That's the job of the panels. Also, many inverter over estimate generation. I've seen a post today on another forum suggesting their particular inverter over reads by 6%.

Still, nice figures though!

Martyn1981

The best I've seen on one of my inverters was 2,600W, not bad for a HF2500 with 2.405kWp of panels. Peak from under 2.4 up, and back down, only lasted for 2 mins. Last August.

That inverter under-reads by 1%, once both systems were working my TGM over-reads by 1.7%. I think the second system at half the size must be under by 3% to give that final 1.7% figure?

Wifey reported the monitor (reading off an Optismart LED counter) hit 3.61 whilst I was posting earlier figure, but only for a couple of updates before dropping back down. Missed that one completely!

System(s) definitely teasing me today.

Mart.

RoxyK

GaryMo wrote: »

Sanyo HIT 240

Your panels have a rating of 240W with an output tolerance of +10% / -5% meaning the panel could output a maximum of 264W.
If, and it's a big if, all your panels ran at the maximum end of the tolerance scale you would have a maximum output of 16 x 264 = 4.224kW at STC. I can't honestly see all 16 panels running at a +10% tolerance though.

The inverter just processes the power, it doesn't generate it. That's the job of the panels. Also, many inverter over estimate generation. I've seen a post today on another forum suggesting their particular inverter over reads by 6%.

Still, nice figures though!

Aha - I knew there was more on panels exceeding their output. It's here in this post:

Cardew wrote: »

What do you mean by 'potential'?

The rating on a panel is that achieved in laboratory conditions at a set temperature and sunlight(luminescence)

So the potential of a, say, 250w panel might be well in excess of 250w in UK - over 300w in Spain.

The limiting factor of most PV systems in UK is the output of the Inverter.

I find my inverter under-reads slightly also, as the daily totals are slightly lower than my generation meter readings.

I've hit a brief peak today of 4,204. Nice to see the sun again after so much rain. At least the panels will be nice and clean

Martyn1981

RoxyK wrote: »

I find my inverter under-reads slightly also, as the daily totals are slightly lower than my generation meter readings.

I've hit a brief peak today of 4,204. Nice to see the sun again after so much rain. At least the panels will be nice and clean

Hiya, nice isn't it when you look at an inverter reading and know that you've got a tiny wee bit more!

My first April, but everyone I've spoken too has said that this is when you could get to see some 'silly' numbers, with strong sun, and cold panels (after each shower). 3.61 off a 3.58 system is nice, but with shallow panel angles I doubt I'll see a difference like yours!

Mart.

sly_dog_jonah

April's been a bit of a damp squib so far in cider country. Only 5days of getting into double figures and 4 days with <5kWh generated. The good days have been very good though, with 3 days >20kWh.

We're 1/3 through the month and have made 35% of PVGIS target, so we're just on course to beat that currently. But this is some way short of the PVGIS+25% performance we've been getting to date (and March was +50%).

Today's been showery but we're just going to beat our previous record of 22.1kWh, as the panels are still kicking out 220W now and we've already matched the record. The cool breeze has no-doubt helped.

Martyn1981

Running at 28% here in slightly less sheep country, so about level. No guesses yet for April as even predicting 1 day ahead has gone out the window.

Today's prediction (made yesterday) was 4, got a 15! I'm losing my nack. For a 15, I'm happy to lose it all month.

Mart.

Kernel_Sanders

Martyn1981 wrote: »

3.61 off a 3.58 system is nice, but with shallow panel angles I doubt I'll see a difference like yours!.

I also have a shallow pitch, but noticed a burst of 4322 watts at 2.40pm today, close to my optimum orientation. (Sun had just emerged from cloud).
After the weekend's dismal performance, I really wasn't expecting to top 19kWh today..

Martyn1981

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I also have a shallow pitch, but noticed a burst of 4322 watts at 2.40pm today, close to my optimum orientation. (Sun had just emerged from cloud).
After the weekend's dismal performance, I really wasn't expecting to top 19kWh today..

NOOoooo! Don't tell me that, I have already moved both monitors so that I have to turn around to see them! Too distracting.

I'm currently getting higher (constant) gen after the sun has gone passed my panels, as with ESE, the sun to panel angle is still low when aligned, but it 'sneaks up' on my panels from the side around 11 or 12ish as it gets higher. During that good spell in March, I was getting 2.2 to 2.4 from 10am right through to 3pm (approx).

Question, during April, what symbol do you put on a weather forecast for each hour, with alternating blinding sun, and peeing rain? Must be a nightmare.

Edit: 1.8kW at 7.45am, that'll do nicely thank you!

Mart.

RoxyK

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Hiya, nice isn't it when you look at an inverter reading and know that you've got a tiny wee bit more!

My first April, but everyone I've spoken too has said that this is when you could get to see some 'silly' numbers, with strong sun, and cold panels (after each shower). 3.61 off a 3.58 system is nice, but with shallow panel angles I doubt I'll see a difference like yours!

Mart.

Thats good to know - I look forward to an interesting April

Total generated yesterday was 25kWh which is my best since installation.

Today is a lot more varied to say the least - but I spotted a 4,457 peak earlier. The high peaks are always at midday of course.

Which reminds me, might need to chase up Good Energy as haven't received anything form them yet.

Martyn1981

RoxyK wrote: »

Thats good to know - I look forward to an interesting April

Today is a lot more varied to say the least - but I spotted a 4,457 peak earlier. The high peaks are always at midday of course.

Sorry, can I just re-cap. You've seen 4.457 from a 3.84 system, with an under-reading inverter - and you're looking forward to an interesting April!!!!!

Some people want the Moon on a stick!

M.