SunPower Solar Cell Discoloration

[Ian S]

Just click on the link I provided. I don't have SunPower system. You should search the solar system within your location for closer comparsion.

While your link displays someone's production, I don't see any way of finding other systems to observe.

[silversaver]

While your link displays someone's production, I don't see any way of finding other systems to observe.

You have to search just like I did.... no other way.

I'm just using the local system as reference to compare with my system since it is so new. Just making sure it is function normally sicne I have discontinued panels

[J.P.M.]

If there's any tool to predict weather, please let us know.

I don't think PVWatt is predictor, I'll take the result as expected result of production. If you want to go into detail of it, which is fine. The weather from last 10 years will never be the same as 10 years from now. The global climate has been change. We just use the result to compare, no big deal.

Silver, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass, but I don't understand what you mean. Can you help me understand ?

[Ian S]

You have to search just like I did.... no other way.

I don't see a search function. What am I missing?

[silversaver]

Silver, I'm not trying to be a wise-ass, but I don't understand what you mean. Can you help me understand ?

All I'm saying is the estimate is estimate. There isn't any tool that will offer you exact production.

[newnmex999]

You have to search just like I did.... no other way.

I'm just using the local system as reference to compare with my system since it is so new. Just making sure it is function normally sicne I have discontinued panels

Silversaver- tried clicking on the link you provided which worked yesterday, but doesn't work today. The link you sent me appears to point to a SunPower system. So, is this the one you use for referencing your own system?

[J.P.M.]

All I'm saying is the estimate is estimate. There isn't any tool that will offer you exact production.

If I correctly understand what you just wrote, that's precisely my point.

Silver: Not to continue being a wise-ass, and honestly meaning no disrespect, but I'm having a real hard time trying to understand what you are writing and trying to say. It is clear to me that your syntax, sentence construction (such as it is) and punctuation are making it impossible for me to understand your point(s). My shortcoming I guess.

[silversaver]

If I correctly understand what you just wrote, that's precisely my point.

Silver: Not to continue being a wise-ass, and honestly meaning no disrespect, but I'm having a real hard time trying to understand what you are writing and trying to say. It is clear to me that your syntax, sentence construction (such as it is) and punctuation are making it impossible for me to understand your point(s). My shortcoming I guess.

No worry, I gave them back to my grammar teacher. I think I'll get them back once I'm retired then I have more time entertaining myself just like you.

[silversaver]

Silversaver- tried clicking on the link you provided which worked yesterday, but doesn't work today. The link you sent me appears to point to a SunPower system. So, is this the one you use for referencing your own system?

Go to your local SunPower dealer, you might find something there.

[newnmex999]

No worry, I gave them back to my grammar teacher. I think I'll get them back once I'm retired then I have more time entertaining myself just like you.

Guys- I started this thread because I have some concerns, can you stick to the subject please? Thanks

[joegovette]

I am in NM as well. Zip is 87144. My 21 SunPower E20-327 6.72 kWh system was turned on in October. My panels are on my South roof. Outputs on mine so far are Oct 1133, Nov 749, Dec 803, and Jan 729. I don't have any spots on my panels, but maybe this information can help you.

[J.P.M.]

Guys- I started this thread because I have some concerns, can you stick to the subject please? Thanks

You're right. I apologize for getting off the subject. Back to your 02/14/2014 post at 1410 hrs.: I don't think you can compare any month's specific output to what PV Watts comes up with for the same calendar month. The weather will be different for starters. Also, any performance degradation due to discoloration may be slight, or progressive, or abrupt, or wavelength dependent or any # of other things, some of them not measureable by output alone. Also, any such change may be so slight as to be lost in the noise of weather changes or changes in the rest of the system. Usually, to measure performance changes, one needs to measure input and output. The output #'s can come from the system monitor. The input needs to be measured, not estimated. PV Watts cannot measure system output. PV Watts estimates output based on assumed inputs (the TMY data). In sunny climates such as NM, any month may have a higher probability of being closer to the design tool output (PV Watts or others), but it will always be different, perhaps, maybe even likely, by the same order of magnitude or greater than any degradation or change caused by discoloration or other things. My post of 02/14/2014 at 1616 hrs. was an attempt to suggest that assuming PV Watts can be used to track performance of an existing system, which is how I interpreted what you wrote, may be going down the wrong road and lead to incorrect conclusions. Nothing more.

FWIW, my panels are the same as yours, went in last Oct. and has no discoloration or measureable performance degradation at this time. I monitor input w/ a Davis Pro 2 Plus weather station, including solar rad. measurement at 1 min. intervals. I monitor, record and analyze input and output on a daily basis. I'll keep an eye out. (BTW, I lived in zip 87114 for several years. Some of the best solar climate on earth)

[russ]

FWIW, my panels are the same as yours, went in last Oct. and has no discoloration or measureable performance degradation at this time. I monitor input w/ a Davis Pro 2 Plus weather station, including solar rad. measurement at 1 min. intervals. I monitor, record and analyze input and output on a daily basis. I'll keep an eye out. (BTW, I lived in zip 87114 for several years. Some of the best solar climate on earth)

I have the same unit on the roof - saves a lot of WAGs - also shows nicely the futility of solar collection early and late hours.

[silversaver]

I have the same unit on the roof - saves a lot of WAGs - also shows nicely the futility of solar collection early and late hours.

Are you saying FWIWless?



999,

just visit your local SunPower installer's website, they usually post few links of their clients' systems.

[russ]

Are you saying FWIWless?



999,

just visit your local SunPower installer's website, they usually post few links of their clients' systems.

SumPower? not here and data, unless you know the source, has to be considered suspect. That includes how it is collected

I much prefer to know what is going on - I also have meters in water lines and power supplies to different parts of the complex here - again, so I can know what is going on.

Too many years spent in plants with people rounding off and guessing - usually to make them selves look better.