February 24, 20242 yr I always assumed(incorrectly) that solar panels only make usable power in direct sunlight. I have since seen that this is not the case. I am very surprised with the amount of power I get when it is totally cloudy, even more so since I only have 6 panels. Like this morning - it is 95% cloudy with the sun only finding occasional gaps.
February 24, 20242 yr 23 minutes ago, eugenedp said: I always assumed(incorrectly) that solar panels only make usable power in direct sunlight. I have since seen that this is not the case. I am very surprised with the amount of power I get when it is totally cloudy, even more so since I only have 6 panels. Like this morning - it is 95% cloudy with the sun only finding occasional gaps. A interesting reading on Tuesday with the storms in Gauteng I generated 5 times more at 18h15 than when it's a sunshine day. It was full of clouds but the sun was still shining above the clouds. I can just think that it is the refraction of irradiance that took place above the clouds. Evenings like that it also tends to become darker much later in the evenings. This is a good example how panels react to irradiance which we cannot easily measure.
February 24, 20242 yr Author 1 hour ago, Scorp007 said: A interesting reading on Tuesday with the storms in Gauteng I generated 5 times more at 18h15 than when it's a sunshine day. It was full of clouds but the sun was still shining above the clouds. I can just think that it is the refraction of irradiance that took place above the clouds. Evenings like that it also tends to become darker much later in the evenings. This is a good example how panels react to irradiance which we cannot easily measure. I am astonished to say the least. I get 2.5kw on average in full sun, to get 1 - 1.5kw through the clouds is unbelievable. To me, at least☺
February 24, 20242 yr 38 minutes ago, eugenedp said: I am astonished to say the least. I get 2.5kw on average in full sun, to get 1 - 1.5kw through the clouds is unbelievable. To me, at least☺ Yes through the clouds what you experienced is good. Wait for those thick grey clouds when it rains the whole day and the PV could drop as low as 300W. Normally 950W at 09h00.
February 25, 20242 yr In cape Town we are blessed with weather that blows over so generally the clouds don't last long. It's also quite normal to see the highest pv kw figure in cloud bursts. The clouds reflect the sun and the air is clearer. I've got a 3.6kw pv array and I've seen over 3.6kw in cloud bursts...
February 25, 20242 yr Author Mine is only 2.8kw, and the only time I have seen it deliver more than 3kw was on a semi cloudy day as well.
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