Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric
Hi Mark
Just wondering, do you think that your solar power will be affected by dust settling on the panels or is there enough breeze to keep them clean and efficient.
Cheers
|
Ric,
We have had the panels in operation since Nov 2011. We have been monitoring the energy output of the solar array and there has been no degradation thus far. The charge controller has a web service which you can log into and monitir all aspects of the installation.
On the last trip we actually took a bucket and detergent so we could clean the panels, but when we inspected them they were very clean. So there was no need to get the bucket out.
I'm sure dust settles on them, but a light shower cleans that up pretty quickly.
We are very happy with the solar installation. On one dome operational our DOD (Depth of Discharge) has only been between 95-90%.
(Only 5% of battery energy used)
With both domes now running we are getting to about 80% DOD.
The less you discharge your batteries the longer their life, and at 80% capacity still available they should last 10 or more years.
Cheers
Mark