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Solar Panel Winter Performance
#1
Hi there, just a quick question on how your RV solar panels are holding up during the winter.  I've been reading online how they continue to work during the winter months.  Albeit at a reduced capacity.  Is it true the continue to generate power if the daylight is permanently overcast?  And how has your electrical performance been affected?  Do you have to cut back on an appliance or two during winter months??

FB
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#2
(10-09-2024, 02:25 AM)FresnoBound Wrote: Hi there, just a quick question on how your RV solar panels are holding up during the winter.  I've been reading online how they continue to work during the winter months.  Albeit at a reduced capacity.  Is it true the continue to generate power if the daylight is permanently overcast?  And how has your electrical performance been affected?  Do you have to cut back on an appliance or two during winter months??

FB

Yes , they still work in the winter. The cold actually increases efficiency.
Of course overcast , less daylight hours , lower sun angles all will reduce it .
How much this will affect you depends on your battery bank size and how much power you use. 
Do you have a system up and running now ? If it has been working during summer just expect some amount less from it now.
Going through a day using minimum power and see how much you will actually need may be your best answer.

My fridge is my only real power hog but it's kinda optional as the outside temps will be below freezing for most of the season.  

One more thing , you will have to clear the snow and ice off....use a broom or very small plastic shovel and DON'T use hot water on the panels. OR snow cleats on the roof. Wink The heat escaping through the roof will help with that but it will take a while. Rolleyes

I got this advice back in 01 when I asked about solar. The best , most reliable panel is the red one .

A Honda 2000 for backup........
stay tuned 
popeye


 Weirdo Overlord : FMS Fleet Ops , Awards , Badges ,  aka Tamerlane the Impaler Mod.
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#3
(10-09-2024, 02:25 AM)FresnoBound Wrote: Hi there, just a quick question on how your RV solar panels are holding up during the winter.  I've been reading online how they continue to work during the winter months.  Albeit at a reduced capacity. 

It's not the panels that change, it's the insolation.  Using Fresno, CA as an example, 200w of flatmounted panel on MPPT will average:


Solar wattage 200

Month Daily Wh Avg
Jan  369
Feb  595
Mar  860
Apr 1114
May 1278
Jun 1426 <- party in the USA
Jul 1394
Aug 1267
Sep 1037
Oct  746
Nov  534
Dec  355 <- austerity
Average 915
The above projection based on PVwatts

Quote:Is it true the continue to generate power if the daylight is permanently overcast?  

Yes, the figures above include 30 years of weather and irradience data.

Quote:Do you have to cut back on an appliance or two during winter months??

I oversized my array to ensure sufficient harvest for necessities year 'round.   In December I have to back off all-electric cooking and burn some propane.  Not a bad thing since it helps warm the van.
frater/jason - FT 2018.  Retired/boondocking  Jan 2020
159"Promaster , 750w : 280Ah LFP , 35gal fresh
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[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to frater secessus for this post:
  • rvpopeye (10-16-2024)
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#4
(10-09-2024, 12:00 PM)frater secessus Wrote:
(10-09-2024, 02:25 AM)FresnoBound Wrote: Hi there, just a quick question on how your RV solar panels are holding up during the winter.  I've been reading online how they continue to work during the winter months.  Albeit at a reduced capacity. 

It's not the panels that change, it's the insolation.  Using Fresno, CA as an example, 200w of flatmounted panel on MPPT will average:


Solar wattage 200

Month Daily Wh Avg
Jan  369
Feb  595
Mar  860
Apr 1114
May 1278
Jun 1426 <- party in the USA
Jul 1394
Aug 1267
Sep 1037
Oct  746
Nov  534
Dec  355 <- austerity
Average 915
The above projection based on PVwatts

Quote:Is it true the continue to generate power if the daylight is permanently overcast?  

Yes, the figures above include 30 years of weather and irradience data.

Quote:Do you have to cut back on an appliance or two during winter months??

I oversized my array to ensure sufficient harvest for necessities year 'round.   In December I have to back off all-electric cooking and burn some propane.  Not a bad thing since it helps warm the van.

Wow, thanks for this frater secessus.  This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.  Excellent data.  Did you gather it yourself? 

And, your clear markation of ‘party in the USA’ and  ‘austerity’ months are classic.  I got a giggle from that one.  It’s great to get some numbers and clear data on winter performance.  Most of the info out there is pretty non-descript. Like this one - using rv solar panels in winter.

I figured there’d be some scaling back in the winter.  To be expected to be fair.  But as you’ve pointed out, no harm burning a little gas to help keep the cabin warm.  This way you can kill two birds with one stone.

@rvpopeye, yes I have a pretty basic setup at the minute.  But with seasons starting to change I’ve noticed a dip already.  Looks like there will be significantly less power as the days shorten and blue skies give way to overcast.  I’ll see how it goes over the winter and make some adjustments as necessary.  Fridge and cooker will most likely be dropped.
[-] The following 1 user says Thank You to FresnoBound for this post:
  • rvpopeye (10-16-2024)
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