dirty solar panels, warm weather, lower power output?

Mikeyboy01443

same, my highest generation was in May got 38.3 on the 27th, second highest yesterday was 37.7. but in terms of peak output, on the 20th of May (at 12:45) i hit 7245w of generation, but on the highest production day in may (27th) my peak power was 5.7, but it was a much steadier and more consistent production curve...the following day looked a bit 'spiky' in the afternoon but i hit higher peaks then (7kw) so points to the cloud edge effect then? looking over my production for the last month or so, there is definitely a difference of days where it is obviously clear skies against cloudy days where there are peaks and troughs...

Spies

Just used an infrared gun on my South facing panels, not as hot as I would have thought at 52.4c and that's having been in the full sun all morning. 

2nd_time_buyer

Spies said:

Just used an infrared gun on my South facing panels, not as hot as I would have thought at 52.4c and that's having been in the full sun all morning. 

It would be very interesting if anyone is able to investigate the effect of water cooling of a panel in terms of output. From what was said above - ideally in a soft water area within reach of a hose pipe. It would be nice to do a like-for-like comparison e.g between a cooled panel and an un-cooled control panel so optimises would be useful.    

Spies

2nd_time_buyer said:

Spies said:

Just used an infrared gun on my South facing panels, not as hot as I would have thought at 52.4c and that's having been in the full sun all morning. 

It would be very interesting if anyone is able to investigate the effect of water cooling of a panel in terms of output. From what was said above - ideally in a soft water area within reach of a hose pipe. It would be nice to do a like-for-like comparison e.g between a cooled panel and an un-cooled control panel so optimises would be useful.    

Just be careful of thermal shock!

Exiled_Tyke

2nd_time_buyer said:

Spies said:

Just used an infrared gun on my South facing panels, not as hot as I would have thought at 52.4c and that's having been in the full sun all morning. 

It would be very interesting if anyone is able to investigate the effect of water cooling of a panel in terms of output. From what was said above - ideally in a soft water area within reach of a hose pipe. It would be nice to do a like-for-like comparison e.g between a cooled panel and an un-cooled control panel so optimises would be useful.    

I think this came up a couple of years ago in discussion. (Martyn, no doubt, will remember better than me).  My poor memory tells me that someone did try it and noticed little difference. (Sadly) 

gefnew

A bit from pv magazine about water cooling and the effect it has.
Cooling down PV panels with water – pv magazine International (pv-magazine.com)

2nd_time_buyer

gefnew said:

A bit from pv magazine about water cooling and the effect it has.
Cooling down PV panels with water – pv magazine International (pv-magazine.com)

Cool. Thanks. 

paul991

i  did read that  one  company was looking in to dual use panels solar pv and  thermal integrated  which would have  the cooling effect and provide hot  water i don't know if it ever came to market

Spies

paul991 said:

i  did read hat  one  company was looking in to dual use panels solar pv and  thermal integrated  which would have  the cooling effect and provide hot  water i dont know if it ever came to market

Certainly available in the US as Linus from Linus tech tips has some with water cooling. 

Mikeyboy01443

paul991 said:

i  did read that  one  company was looking in to dual use panels solar pv and  thermal integrated  which would have  the cooling effect and provide hot  water i don't know if it ever came to market

What a good idea!