What is the efficiency of your panel? I.e, what percent of the sun's energy (insolation) gets captured?
521475
Hello, our measured panel efficiency at zero delta T to ambient is between 83% and 85%. Please note that this value decreases for all collectors as the delta T increases, so that the actual yield decreases as the temperature increases. The maximum calculated (not measured) equilibrium delta T for a panel (not a system) under 1kW/m^2 is 221 degrees. Thank You, Heliatos Solar
1927510
The panel needs to be in the sun or it needs to be connected to another energy source. If it is inside, let it sit under a bright light for a while to allow. Without some source of energy the lights will be out.
530382
On a cloudy day the best this panel does even with mppt controller is about 35 watts.....
1299546
1040 watts at an 80% efficiency factor or about 800 watts at 100% efficiency factor. 800 watts = about 40-45 amps at 12 volts which gives you a safety cushion of 15 amps with the unit. if you are going to run the unit at 24 volts, your inputs would be higher since as voltage rises with solar, your amps are usually cut by a factor of about 30-35% at each voltage increase(12/24/36/48 etc) without knowing what your panels are rated at, i cannot answer the number of panels question. just multiply your panel wattage by number of panels= total wattage. hope this info helps you. i can tell you this tho- i was pumping over 40 amps continuous into the unit when first hooked up and it wasn't even getting warm!. very well made unit/even better that its made in America and buying it supports other fellow Americans.
1042251
Just because the panels are 100 w each dosen'T mean you will receive 100w all the time. 100w is the best you are going to get at top conditions. perfect alinment, perfect sky, alinement faceing sun all the day, so don't expect 100w all the time. There could be a haze between you and the sun,Wire size, conectors , if you are using it to charge batteries, Every thing can efect your wattage.
389076
Hello, The collector plate is made of aluminum. Behind the absorber there is copper tubing carrying the water or heat transfer fluid, and behind that is a reflector plate. The two plates set up a blackbody radiation cavity which enhances the transfer of heat from the absorber surface to the fluid (patent pending feature). The thermal conductance losses vary greatly depending on irradiance, collector core temperature and ambient conditions. We use the maximum equilibrium temperature difference between the core and ambient as a measure of panel efficiency which is approximately 220 deg. F, however overall system maximum equilibrium temperature difference is much lower. Thank You, Heliatos Solar
837958
The panel does not output 5W like the specs and other reviewers suggest. The integrated *battery pack* outputs 5W, but the panel itself seems to only output in the range of 1W to 1.5W.From the specs directly from the manufacturer, the battery is 2200mah, and it takes the panel 10 hours to charge it. If you work the math out, that means it charges 220mah per hour, which would be 220ma of current @ around 5V (maybe slightly higher?), 5v * .22a = 1.1WJust because the unit has the capability to output at 5W, doesn't mean it can collect power from the sun comparable to a 5W panel. The panel does not output 5W like the specs and other reviewers suggest. The integrated *battery pack* outputs 5W, but the panel itself seems to only output in the range of 1W to 1.5W.From the specs directly from the manufacturer, the battery is 2200mah, and it takes the panel 10 hours to charge it. If you work the math out, that means it charges 220mah per hour, which would be 220ma of current @ around 5V (maybe slightly higher?), 5v * .22a = 1.1WJust because the unit has the capability to output at 5W, doesn't mean it can collect power from the sun comparable to a... » Read More The panel does not output 5W like the specs and other reviewers suggest. The integrated *battery pack* outputs 5W, but the panel itself seems to only output in the range of 1W to 1.5W.From the specs directly from the manufacturer, the battery is 2200mah, and it takes the panel 10 hours to charge it. If you work the math out, that means it charges 220mah per hour, which would be 220ma of current @ around 5V (maybe slightly higher?), 5v * .22a = 1.1WJust because the unit has the capability to output at 5W, doesn't mean it can collect power from the sun comparable to a 5W panel. « Show Less
852801
They say 5.6 amps. Love the panels. I purchased 6 and they work great. I would add that mine have been in the mountains and when the sun is at its peak I get about 5.3 and up per panel
258970
Its the same in the Midwest, if the solar panel gets a full day or two of bright sun it has a chance to store energy. Read manufacturer instructions: "...Your solar panel needs to be placed outside in a sunny area and needs to face the southern sky. If it is in the shade it will still charge, but not as well as in the sun. If it is behind glass, it may not charge properly." Motion detector activates the light for a few minutes or so. Hopes this helps...
1042252
I have completed multiple solar installations with lots of monitoring. For normal solar power installations with an excellent solar charge controller and wiring- expect about an efficiency of 75% of the rated output (real world) with short duration peaks above that.
563725
My office has window but usually luckily not direct sunlight. I was not getting the red light. I placed it in some one else's office wish gets direct sunlight and the red light came on. It seems that direct sunlight means just that. The suns rays most make contact with the panel.
837959
The panel does not output 5W like the specs and other reviewers suggest. The integrated *battery pack* outputs 5W, but the panel itself seems to only output in the range of 1W to 1.5W. From the specs directly from the manufacturer, the battery is 2200mah, and it takes the panel 10 hours to charge it. If you work the math out, that means it charges 220mah per hour, which would be 220ma of current @ around 5V (maybe slightly higher?), 5v * .22a = 1.1W Just because the unit has the capability to output at 5W, doesn't mean it can collect power from the sun comparable to a 5W panel.
2073399
There is one solar panel that is 100 watts. I will ask our warehouse to give me the measurements although it may be a day or two hours before I can get that. I will keep you posted.
352792
Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't gotten one of those yet. Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't... » Read More Throwing in my two cents. Get two for this. It'll work fine for awhile for you the way you want to do it, but ultimately, your battery is going to lose charge 'cause you will be running close to max on the panel all things considered unless you are in bright sunlight all the time. Plus, over time, your battery is not going to charge as efficiently. My 100W Grape tests at 5 amps in good sunlight. But then there's nighttime....:-) I run an off grid system, and am going to get a second panel just because of those cloudy days. An MPPT controller will help maximize your charging too. I haven't gotten one of those yet. « Show Less
1998852
One 85 watt panel Should deliver around 7 amps at 12 volts in full sun. If you have all 4 panels connected through a single (7 amp) controller, it is way overloaded. Sounds like you might need 3 more controllers or simply a bigger controller unit.
485742
It is "Solar" powered, and the sun is the equivalent of a high wattage light bulb. If you used a florescent, LED or any bulb less than 100 WATT, it will not work very well. It will function great near a high wattage bulb or in the sun.
229979
I don't know, as mine crapped-out (just like a sick dog with Diarrhea in the dog park ) after the first day of use. But yes, the solar panel is on the top.