Date:         Wed, 8 Apr 2009 16:22:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: solar panels
In-Reply-To:  <760121.27518.qm@web45305.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Yes, if the cloud cover is light enough that your hand can cast a shadow,
you'll get output from the panel. But darker than that and output tumbles
quickly. For some, that's not an issue: they may have low energy
requirements, drive frequently, or expect shore power. I'm just saying
that folk sometimes expect miracles from PV panels. If someone is counting
on being able to mount some panels atop their van, pull under some trees,
or reckon that overcast isn't going to drastically cut back on their
battery charging power, they may be disappointed.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
Bend, OR
KG6RCR



On 4/8/2009 3:50 PM Poppie Jagersand wrote:

> The solar panels will work under cloudy skies, but not as good.
> Reason is simple, clouds block some of the sunlight. Expect
> about 1/2 of full power under light clouds.
>
> Martin
>
> --- On Wed, 4/8/09, Bob Mac <yakandhike@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>
>> From: Bob Mac <yakandhike@COMCAST.NET>
>> Subject: solar panels
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Received: Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 4:43 PM
>> I saw your panel setup at one of the
>> campouts. Very nice. So I looked a little further into doing
>> one myself. I was all but ready to order until i heard some
>> alarming news that just took the wind out of my sails
>> imediately. Where I live (Pa) you actually need sunshine to
>> make these things work. The weather man locally had a report
>> on days of total sunshine here in Pa. The year in question
>> was 2006 We had a total of 50 full days of sunshine out of
>> 365. The solar project was imediately in the toilet after
>> that report. I think i'll spend my money on bigger
>> batteries. Something with about 500 ampher hrs. for about
>> $500.00 would work well enough for me. I'm not condeming
>> anyone for doing it. It's just not for me
>>
>
>
>       __________________________________________________________________
> Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now
> http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.
>