62 Watt CIGS Solar Panel No Load Output Test on December 17th at 1:13 P.M.

LEDAdd1ct

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
3,557
Location
Hudson Valley
Acquired a 62 watt solar panel of the CIGS variety.

Shoveled the driveway and then splayed the panel on my car's trunk atop two pillows.

Wanted to test the panel's output under the worst possible conditions:

—four days before the northern hemisphere's winter solstice
—100% overcast/cloudy skies
—no direct sunlight (just a homogeneous, even light)



Date:

December 17th, 2016

Time:

1:08 P.M.

Latitude:

41° North

Ambient Temperature:

28.8°F = -1.77°C

No Load Voltage:

20.5V

No Load Current:

170mA

Computed No Load Power Output:

20.5V * 170mA = 3.485 watts


I will run this test again on a sunny winter day, and, if I can remember, on a cloudy/sunny day in March (around the vernal equinox) and on a cloudy/sunny day in June (around the summer solstice).
 
Last edited:

LEDAdd1ct

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
3,557
Location
Hudson Valley
Round Two 62 Watt CIGS Panel

Conditions:

Clear and sunny.

Date:

December 25th, 2016

Time:

12:27 P.M.

Latitude:

41° North

Ambient Temperature:

43°F = 6.11°C

No Load Voltage:

27.4V

No Load Current:

1.97A

Computed No Load Power Output:

27.4V * 1.97A = 53.978 watts



Round One 6 Watt CIGS Panel

Conditions:

Clear and sunny.

Date:

December 25th, 2016

Time:

12:24 P.M.

Latitude:

41° North

Ambient Temperature:

43°F = 6.11°C

No Load Voltage:

20.7V

No Load Current:

300mA

Computed No Load Power Output:

20.7V * 300mA = 6.21 watts
 

Str8stroke

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
5,032
Location
On The Black Pearl
What is amazing is how a week of dust can negatively affect the output of a large panel. I started using a carwash mit thing on a Swiffer to dust mine. I need to redo my rig. The dog dug up my wires and chewed them.
 

LEDAdd1ct

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
3,557
Location
Hudson Valley
I was very pleased with how the little six watt panel performed.

I was shocked at what a difference cloudy vs. sunny made.

"Low light performance" and "works in partial shade" seem to be popular buzzwords, but, if you want amps (current), you really need direct sunlight.

The sun is at a very low angle this time of year, even at half-past noon as it was during my trunk tests (solar panel on trunk of car).

I think I will probably wind up selling the both of them and investing in something in the middle between the two as a compromise between output and size.
 

OzmafaKerie

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 17, 2017
Messages
2
62 Watt CIGS Solar Panel No Load Output Test on December 17th at 1 13 P M

Would it work if I have a 12 volt 20 ah battery, a 40-60 watt solar panel, a 300 watt inverter for an ac 17.5 watt water pump?
 

LEDAdd1ct

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
3,557
Location
Hudson Valley
Re: 62 Watt CIGS Solar Panel No Load Output Test on December 17th at 1 13 P M

I am not certain.

You may wish to start a new thread with your question. :)
 
Top