Thanks Joel,
That was the type of information I was looking for.
At 01:36 PM 3/28/2010, you wrote:
The PV industry started using 32 to 38 silicon single crystal solar
cells in series to charge 12-volt batteries. At first, 33-cell
modules were used without charge controllers for smaller PV systems
by balancing the size of the PV array with the load and battery
bank. Later, it was determined that 36-cell silicon single crystal
and multicrystalline cell modules in combination with a charge
controller provided reliable battery charging over a range of cell
temperatures and also reduced the size of the battery bank that was
previously used with unregulated systems. In the early 1980s, Arco
Solar claimed that 30-cell single crystal so-called
'self-regulating' solar modules could be used for 12-volt battery
charging without a charge controller. However, 30-cell modules did
not provide adequate charging voltage for 12-volt batteries in hot
and even in temperate climates. Still, PV is a excellent electric
power source and a properly sized PV system using 33- to 36-silicon
cell modules can charge 12-volt batteries well.
Joel Davidson
Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM Certified PV Installer
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648
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