Solar performance changes dramatically based on location, climate, and load.
The Problem With Off-the-Shelf National Kits
Many off-the-shelf national solar kits are designed around an average of 8 hours of sunlight. However, this does not account for the peak solar generation hours during the worst month at your location.
These kits may be sized for warm, sunny states. They may not perform as well in regions with long winters, snow, rain, or frequent cloud cover.
Many systems use fixed battery and solar panel combinations. These combinations may not account for the actual load requirements at your site.
They may also overlook shading from:
- Trees
- Signs
- Buildings
- Other structures
An integrated solar light can create another problem. The light and solar panel may need to face the same direction.
If you need the light in one location, but the solar panel cannot face the best direction for solar production, the panel may not receive enough sunlight to fully recharge the system.
Proper Component Selection Matters
Mismatched components can reduce system performance and may shorten battery life.
The charge controller is also important. Make sure the system uses the right controller for the application.
A PWM controller and an MPPT controller work differently. An MPPT controller can often provide more usable solar energy than a PWM controller, depending on the system design and operating conditions.
Some MPPT systems can provide significantly more energy than PWM systems under the right conditions.
Real-World Conditions Matter
A solar system may work well “on paper” but perform differently in real-world conditions.
Shade, temperature, panel position, and seasonal changes can all affect solar production.
Panel angle also matters. In the Northern Hemisphere, adjusting the solar panel angle can help improve winter production. In some locations, an angle of up to 45 degrees may be appropriate, depending on the season and system design.
The correct angle depends on your location and the goals of the system.
The Reality
Solar hours can vary by two to three times across different areas of the United States.
For example, Maine can have very different winter solar conditions compared with Southern California.
Winter charging conditions in the Northeast can drop to about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of strong solar production per day during difficult periods.
Cold temperatures can also reduce battery capacity. The amount of capacity lost depends on the battery type, temperature, discharge rate, and other conditions.
Temperature changes can also affect battery performance and solar panel output.
Every site has different conditions, including:
- Shading
- Daily runtime
- Critical loads
- Solar exposure
- Battery requirements
- Panel location
- Seasonal weather
These factors all affect system performance.
Customize the System for the Site
You need a company that can help customize the system for your location and application.
The goal is to optimize both solar generation and system runtime.
If the light and solar panel must face the same direction, the system may not work well when the required light location does not provide the best solar exposure.
For example, if the light must face one direction but the solar panel needs to face a different direction for better solar production, an integrated light and panel may not be the right solution.
A separately mounted solar panel may provide a better option.
Bottom Line
A universal solar kit is not guaranteed to work well in every location.
Solar conditions vary by location, season, weather, shading, panel position, battery capacity, and load requirements.
That is why the right solar system should be designed around the actual conditions at the installation site.
For more information on the right solution, visit suninone.com to explore products and options for your solar project, or call 302-762-3100.