Minimal shading late in the day a problem?

[LETitROLL]

Do i need to be concerned at all about minimal shading (<5% of the total day), as in just a shadow from a distant tree that passes across parts of the panel late in the day. I have always been able to just about completely avoid all shading, but this time of year (sun low), i get a small amount briefly, and wanted to learn more about shading in regards to panel integrity/longevity (battery near float most of the time). I had seen some talk on another thread about possibly causing reverse bias of cells, etc. and wanted to know if panel damage is possible and which factors make that more likely.
thanks

[Fordtrucksforever]

IF that were the case then wouldnt clouds passing over do the same thing?

[SunEagle]

Do i need to be concerned at all about minimal shading (<5% of the total day), as in just a shadow from a distant tree that passes across parts of the panel late in the day. I have always been able to just about completely avoid all shading, but this time of year (sun low), i get a small amount briefly, and wanted to learn more about shading in regards to panel integrity/longevity (battery near float most of the time). I had seen some talk on another thread about possibly causing reverse bias of cells, etc. and wanted to know if panel damage is possible and which factors make that more likely.
thanks

Shade should not hurt your panels. It will reduce their output but so will clouds and a late afternoon sun. I would not worry about it.

[PugPower]

I have some shading during the winter due to neighbor's trees. During the year when the sun is low I get some shade cast on the panels, especially in the late afternoon. Since I have optimizers, it only affects the shaded panels and not the whole system. It's not a big deal and only occurs for 6 to 8 weeks out of the year. I'm sure my neighbor would let me trim the trees at my own expense, but if I factor the $ amount of energy I would gain vs. the cost to hire a crew to trim these trees and haul the debris (these trees are LARGE) it would take many many years to recoup the cost. Besides, when I designed the system I made sure I would generate 130% of my usage while taking the shade into account. It is my understanding that optimizers or microinverters will minimize energy loss and prevent any damage due to shading.

[littleharbor]

Trimming the trees could cause them to regenerate new growth in that portion you trimmed and potentially make the problem worse is short order. If the shading is minimal and especially late in the day I wouldn't bother.

[Mike90250]

..... It is my understanding that optimizers or microinverters will minimize energy loss and prevent any damage due to shading.

ENERGY
Nope. The shaded panel has lost the power, it's gone forever.

DAMAGE
Optimizer maybe it helps. depends on how many panels are shaded Microinverters, if a portion of panel is shaded, the entire inverter will likely drop offline.

[LETitROLL]

IF that were the case then wouldnt clouds passing over do the same thing?

Then entire panel is shaded evenly in the case of clouds (and night), shading usually refers to a portion of the panel experiencing shade while other parts are still subject to sunshine.

[LETitROLL]

I am not really concerned about energy loss from that in this system, just wanted to make sure if there was a possibility of panel damage if certain cells experience shading over and over while others do not?, and if that does happen, does it happen fairly fast or take a long time, etc.

[SunEagle]

I am not really concerned about energy loss from that in this system, just wanted to make sure if there was a possibility of panel damage if certain cells experience shading over and over while others do not?, and if that does happen, does it happen fairly fast or take a long time, etc.

Shading on a specific panel may put some "work" on a blocking diode but they should be able to handle the stress without getting hurt.

Although I am talking from a textbook side and not first hand experience so others may post different information.

[emartin00]

Shading on a specific panel may put some "work" on a blocking diode but they should be able to handle the stress without getting hurt.

Although I am talking from a textbook side and not first hand experience so others may post different information.

Agreed. Unless it is shaded for the whole day, there shouldn't be an issue. If debris gathers on a panel and stays there for a long period of time, it can cause some hot spots, but is relatively rare.

[LETitROLL]

Shading on a specific panel may put some "work" on a blocking diode but they should be able to handle the stress without getting hurt.

Although I am talking from a textbook side and not first hand experience so others may post different information.

Agreed. Unless it is shaded for the whole day, there shouldn't be an issue. If debris gathers on a panel and stays there for a long period of time, it can cause some hot spots, but is relatively rare.

Thanks, should be no worries in my situation then.