Hi Jay,
From my own Unisolar installations, and many comments from installers
all over the US, I have to say that the system on the North coast is
some kind of an anomaly if it isn't performing at least as well as a
crystalline system of = power rating at the same or similar site with
the same or similar degree of pitch. One possible answer could be
related to the height of the standing seams at this installation, since
the higher the seam, the greater the losses from shading (assuming that
the array is oriented South). I have had good results from a shallow
pitched East/West roof (!) with US modules because of the reduced
morning and evening shading from the seams, and maybe not such great
output from Southerly oriented arrays with a high standing seam roof.
However, it is absolutely the case that Unisolar modules will still
produce energy while partly shaded, and this applies to entire strings
as well. Because of this, they are a great choice for locations that
might experience transient shading from utility poles, chimneys, trees, etc.
Matt T
jay peltz wrote:
Hi Geoff,
In regards to the performance between Unisolar and crystalline, there
is a side by side ( same watts, batteryless intertie with metering)
installation up here on the North coast of California, and the the
Unisolar is the constant under-performer. This includes cloudy,
sunny, warm, cold weather.
I have seen nothing in the field to support the Unisolar claims about
better performance in low light etc. That said, they do work better
in very hot conditions, if thats what you have.
jay
peltz power
On Oct 31, 2008, at 8:08 AM, Geoff Greenfield wrote:
As a follow up to my uni-solar post (and thanks to all who provided
feedback), I have a second request:
Any references to recent side-by side "shoot-outs" between Unisolar
and conventional crystaline PV? Scientific studies? Your own wrench
thoughts?
I am more and more often encountering confused customers that are
considering unisolar systems at zero-tilt (we are at 40 degrees N),
with plenty of partial shading, after getting a pitch about all sorts
of advantages of Uni-Solar. I think that this product has it's role
and I occasionally sell it... But I am frustrated when I truly
believe I can deliver a better net energy production with a tilted
crystalline solution (avoiding the shaded areas).
For a brighter energy future,
Geoff Greenfield
Founder and CEO
*Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd.
*340 West State Street, Unit 25
Athens, OH 45701
740.597.3111 Fax 740.597.1548
www.Third-Sun.com <http://www.Third-Sun.com>
/Clean Energy - Expertly Installed
/
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