Frequently Asked Question - SolarMate

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What are the possible problems with solar panels and how can I prevent them?

Solar panel failure is most often caused by damage to the panel or connections. 

What type of maintenance is required on solar panels?

No maintenance is usually necessary on solar panels other than the face must be kept clean for maximum efficiency.

Can I use equipment directly from solar panels?

Yes. Solar panels will directly power equipment such as fans and pumps as long as the load is accounted for correctly. 

Equipment load that is greater than the output of the solar panel will weaken equipment efficiency, as overcast or cloudy days reduce output. 

Equipment that requires a more stable voltage should be used in conjunction with a battery.

How well do solar panels work in the winter?

Solar panels work on light not heat. With shorter daylight hours in winter, solar panels produce proportionately less power. 

If the modules become covered with dirt or snow, they stop producing power. As soon as you brush the snow off or clean the dirt off,  they resume operation immediately.

How well do solar panels work in cloudy conditions?

A cloudy day provides sufficient diffuse light by which the panel will produce electricity. Optimum electrical production occurs with bright and sunny weather conditions. 

Under a light overcast sky, the modules might produce about half as much as under full sun, ranging down to as little as five to ten percent under a dark overcast day. 

Do solar cells store energy?

No. Solar cells just convert sunlight into an electric current that must be used immediately or stored in batteries for later use.

What is PV conversion efficiency?

PV conversion efficiency is the ratio of the electric power produced by a PV device to the power of the sunlight shining on the device. 

Cell efficiency defines how much energy in sunlight is actually converted into electricity. 

What is a blocking diode?

A blocking diode connects to the cable and prevents the solar panel from discharging the battery in the absence of sunlight.

Do I need the charge controller? Can I just connect the panel directly to my battery?

The purpose of the charge controller is to prevent destruction of your batteries due to over-charging or over-discharging. If you run without the charge controller,  you would have to monitor the voltage on your batteries and connect and disconnect them from the solar panel manually. Over-charged or over-discharged batteries will result in battery failure.

How long has PV been around?

The photovoltaic effect was first recognized by Edmund Bacquerel, in France, in 1839. Scientists made solar cells of selenium in the 1880s. And, modern PV technologies were developed at Bell Labs and RCA Labs in the mid 1950s.

What is "PV"?

PV is short for photovoltaics (photo =light, voltaics = electricity). PV is a semiconductor-based technology used to convert light energy into direct current (dc) electricity, using no moving parts, consuming no conventional fuels, and creating no pollution.

How many mA does the SolarMate provide?

SolarMate 8w can provide 520 mA output. This is sufficient to charge small batteries and charge devices such as ipods or Phones or it is able to keep large batteries in a charged state when left inactive for long periods.