Tesla Motors Club
Just noticed something very interesting on today's solar production that I thought I would share.
As most here are aware, solar panels are most efficient when cool. There is a temperature coefficient rating for panels that determines how much production they lose with each degree C increase in panel (not ambient) temperature.
For example, I have SunPower X21-335-BLK panels, and these panels lose 0.29% of production for every 1 degree C above 25C (https://us.sunpower.com/sites/defau...x21-335-blk-x21-345-datasheet-504828-revg.pdf)
Like many residents in SoCal, we experience heavy marine layer effects in the mornings. This morning it was relatively cold (low 60s), but the layer broke very quickly. This resulted in a period of time where the panels were cool, but the sun was bright. As the panels heated up, their production dropped, even though the azimuth of the sun was increasing, and production would be expected to increase (see red oval in image below).
Just thought I would share this, in case anyone else sees something similar and wonders what is going on.
As most here are aware, solar panels are most efficient when cool. There is a temperature coefficient rating for panels that determines how much production they lose with each degree C increase in panel (not ambient) temperature.
For example, I have SunPower X21-335-BLK panels, and these panels lose 0.29% of production for every 1 degree C above 25C (https://us.sunpower.com/sites/defau...x21-335-blk-x21-345-datasheet-504828-revg.pdf)
Like many residents in SoCal, we experience heavy marine layer effects in the mornings. This morning it was relatively cold (low 60s), but the layer broke very quickly. This resulted in a period of time where the panels were cool, but the sun was bright. As the panels heated up, their production dropped, even though the azimuth of the sun was increasing, and production would be expected to increase (see red oval in image below).
Just thought I would share this, in case anyone else sees something similar and wonders what is going on.