Kyocera panels

[energytightwad]

I

[Sunking]

You are taking the number too literally. First forget the rating, they will never be as high as they are rated. All it means is if you put their 40 watt panel into a STC lab with a 10,000 w/mt lamp at 25 degrees C, at 0% humidity the power output will be between 39 and 47 watts. You will never experience that high of a output. At best expect only 32 to 36 watts on March 2 or September 21 for a few minute around high noon, on a crystal clear day with below freezing temperatures and the panels facing directly into the sun.

[energytightwad]

Kyocera panels

I agree I'll never get the advertised rating of a solar panel. they are lab spec's. Do I dismiss the power tolerance also as lab spec's? If they dont mean anything (power tolerance) why do does the company put them out to the public? to look impressive?
Thank you

[Sunking]

why do does the company put them out to the public? to look impressive?

For design calculations.

Sort of like horse power ratings for gasoline engines. Horse power ratings are to sell cars, torque wins the race.