(Not another) monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panel comparison

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
  • In this video, we're going to look at the differences between the black monocrystalline and the blue polycrystalline solar panels
    Chapters
    0:00 Manufacturing process
    2:07 Appearance & Sustainability
    3:12 Efficiency
    4:08 Output
    7:22 Temperature coefficient
    8:23 Cost
    9:40 Summary
    How the monocrystalline panels are made. Sand or silicon dioxide is reduced with carbon in an electric arc furnace at temperatures greater than 1900 degrees Celsius or 3500 degrees Fahrenheit. This gives us 99% pure silicon and carbon dioxide. But this silicon isn’t pure enough so it’s refined further using the Czochralski method. A rod-mounted seed crystal is dipped into the molten silicon and slowly pulled upwards while being rotated. This allows 99.99999% pure silicon to solidify into an ingot up to 2 meters in length and several hundred kilograms in weight. These ingots are sliced into thin wafers 180 to 350 micrometers thick. Monocrystalline panels are expensive to produce and there’s a lot of waste generated when you cut the wafers down from a circle to a square, so scientists invented another way to make solar panels using silicon fragments which led to polycrystalline panels. The purified silicon crystals are melted in a large container for 20 hours and then slowly cooled down over 3 days.
    The monocrystalline panels are homogeneous black or dark blue because they are made of a single, one-directional crystal. The polycrystalline panels are lighter blue because when the many crystals of silicon cool, they make a fractal, multi-directional pattern. The manufacturing process of monocrystalline panels is slow, energy intensive and very expensive. It produces a lot of waste which makes it the least sustainable type of panel. Polycrystalline panels, on the other hand, are much cheaper to produce and they generate very little waste which makes their production more sustainable.
    When monocrystalline panels were first invented in 1941, they had less than 1% conversion efficiency. It’s now reached 26.7% in a lab, under ideal conditions. But their average efficiency is between 17 and 22%, making it the most efficient type of panel in the market. Polycrystalline panels used to be a lot less efficient 10 or even 5 years ago, but they can now convert around 15% of the solar energy into electricity.
    To compare the output, I bought 2 panels off Amazon. The monocrystalline panel had a steady reading or 19.24 volts when it laid flat on the ground. However, when I started tilting the panel so it would be perpendicular to the sun’s rays, the reading went up to 19.5 volts. Next I tested the polycrystalline panel, which surprised me. I expected the reading to be lower since they are both 50 watt panels, but it was actually higher! 20.03 volts when it laid flat on the ground. It reached a maximum of 20.31 volts when it was angled. The temp coefficient of Pmax for the Renogy monocrystalline panel is -0.44% per degree Celsius. It is -0.45% per degree Celsius for the Rich Solar polycrystalline panel. The monocrystalline panel was $75 while the polycrystalline panel was $60.
    So, in conclusion. Should you buy monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels systems? Well, “it doesn’t matter”. Polycrystalline panels are now a solid competitor to the monocrystalline ones. In 2013, monocrystalline solar cells had a market share of 36%, but the market share has since dropped below 25%. The type of panel you buy doesn’t really matter, the brand and quality does.
    -------------------------------------------------
    RESOURCES (Amazon affiliate links):
    Renogy Monocrystalline solar panel amzn.to/3drn31U
    Rich Solar Polycrystalline solar panel amzn.to/3jZOxhM
    Canon EOS RP vlogging camera amzn.to/3iG3ft0
    Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens amzn.to/31PvzSZ
    Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens amzn.to/3kEuTZj
    Canon Mount Adapter amzn.to/3kFLuvZ
    -------------------------------------------------
    SOURCES:
    • Video - HOW IT’S MADE
    • UNSW float zone (FZ) s... - UNSW
    • 450mm Silicon Ingot Li... Ergonomic Partners
    • Video - Diamond Wire Loop
    • Eclipse 100W Monocryst... Renogy
    • Rich Solar Factory Video Rich Solar
    -------------------------------------------------
    Fluffy by Smith The Mister smiththemister.bandcamp.com
    Smith The Mister bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT
    Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/stm-fluffy
    Music promoted by Audio Library • Fluffy - Smith The Mis...
    --------------------------------------------------
    Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes and qualifies as Fair Use. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have reservations please notify me via TH-cam comments or email and I will accommodate you.
    #monocrystalline #polycrystalline #amazon #comparison #renewable #energy #solarpanel
  • วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี

ความคิดเห็น • 244

  • @annathor6284
    @annathor6284 3 ปีที่แล้ว +240

    Some feedback on the experiment: You need to capture the power output not just the voltage. The latter is likely determined by the number of cells, but it does not guarantee you that the panels sustain a similarly high current. I would guess that the polycrystalline panel has a lower output current. Efficiency also considers power not voltage ratios. So your experiment on the "performance" is incomplete and therefore misleading. It would be nice to have the complete measures.

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      Thanks for letting me know! I will have to correct that in another video.

    • @Friedbrain11
      @Friedbrain11 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@BelindaCarr The current at voltage is needed to determine whether or not the manufacturers are telling the truth about the watts of their panels :)

    • @KaceyGreen
      @KaceyGreen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I was thinking this as well

    • @Cracked1ce
      @Cracked1ce 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      yes. and it is even more complicated then that. you can't just change your multimeter to current and measure short circuit current. you have to measure the current and voltage at its Maximum Power Point (MPP) in order to get the power output. That is what an MPPT solar controller is doing when it charges batteries or feeds back into the grid. Also the cells are wired in series not parallel. each cell generates ~0.5-0.6V. x 33-36 cells in series = 18-22V.

    • @beaconsolutionswebsitedesi2700
      @beaconsolutionswebsitedesi2700 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Polycrystaline panels have a higher voltage & monocrystalline have a higher current.
      There are more variations..
      Cloudy days has light coming from multiple directions, which could aid poly
      While mono holds slightly higher efficiency in higher temperatures
      Poly's higher voltages can also mean inverters can work longer (they have a minimum voltage above which they operate
      It mostly boils down to, if you have enough space go to poly, if space is not a constraint poly

  • @jameshutchins3396
    @jameshutchins3396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I love the research and attention to detail you put into your videos. Editing is wonderful as well. Thank you for your time and effort

  • @RealDiaz
    @RealDiaz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    As a certified solar consultant I was surprised and delighted to see this in my feed.

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thank you! I don't have your knowledge and expertise, but I hope I conveyed the info adequately.

    • @RealDiaz
      @RealDiaz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@BelindaCarr 😎👍

  • @user-on3ns8qx4d
    @user-on3ns8qx4d 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Lady your the teacher of the year . Thank you for the great work you do.

  • @MaN-pw1bn
    @MaN-pw1bn 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love to see the update on this, because there has been so much wonderful feedback.

  • @epicuritus9761
    @epicuritus9761 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent video! Loved the conclusion you arrived at and the testing methods used. Very fun and informative. Keep up the good work!

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you very much!

  • @seansteede
    @seansteede 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Just found your channel and love your style - so funny to hear your thoughtful and serious data based review suddenly interrupted by the Rock....refreshing and enjoyable YT channel - subbed!

  • @NQR4real
    @NQR4real 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Another easy to follow, informative video. Really enjoying your channel.

  • @georgiatrudell7787
    @georgiatrudell7787 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    This panel can put out close to 100 watts th-cam.com/users/postUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

  • @eagle2855
    @eagle2855 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lady, you are good in dispensing information the right manner. I always enjoy listening to you, Thank you. I have hesitantly been considering installing solar power generation.

  • @sandyj342
    @sandyj342 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very methodical and analysis! You take great effort to produce such a quality video.

  • @kingalysterianlion5542
    @kingalysterianlion5542 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great Video!! Keep making these wonderful videos. Happy New Year!

  • @coryshook7648
    @coryshook7648 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I learn a lot from you! Useful information! Great presentation!

  • @KaceyGreen
    @KaceyGreen 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my favorite topics!
    I somehow missed the other video, will watch it shortly. Love that you got working units to show, then I forgot whether mine are mono or poly, and want to go back to my carwash video to check, but I've gotta get to an appointment first.

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You've got more practical knowledge on the subject than I do! Side note, you're almost at 1k subs. Woot!

    • @KaceyGreen
      @KaceyGreen 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BelindaCarr woot woot! Thank you, yes I was an enthusiast before but with that kind of investment I figured it was time to dig a little deeper 😊

  • @johngott8224
    @johngott8224 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I’d like to suggest that you collaborate with someone with expertise in this field, like an EE, who can help you develop a more complete testing procedure. I think it would make a great final product and realize the potential of what you trying to accomplish with this video.
    As others have pointed out, the voltage readings you are taking are essentially meaningless without additional factors included. Additionally, as others have pointed out, the panels behavior will be dynamic and nonlinear, so there should be plenty of nuance you can explore in your tests, which would make the comparison even more worthwhile.
    I really enjoy your content and I want this to be an encouraging suggestion.

    • @johngott8224
      @johngott8224 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      With as much engagement as I see in the comments section, it seems it would be worthwhile to revisit this topic,

    • @dustinfrost5214
      @dustinfrost5214 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Sht up einstein

  • @HoSae
    @HoSae 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Great comparison between the two panels, Belinda. Thanks for sharing.

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks for watching!

  • @paulogouveia5683
    @paulogouveia5683 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The most important thing is the wattage output under test and under load, you can have 2 panels with 20v under test but one could be 2.5amps and the other could be 2.2 amps, voltage × amps = watts. For example you can have a 2 car batteries that are both 12v but 1 could have double the Watt hour output or an 12v alternator that produces half the amps of the other. So voltage is only a small part of how to determine what panel is best, next time plug each panel to a charge controller and add the same load and you will be amazed with your results as voltage is determined by circuit load. Im a fully qualified electrician and have had solar panel installation training

  • @ablueslenz
    @ablueslenz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Good information! I am considering solar panels for my house and now feel a little better going into the research before purchasing them.

    • @taohuang5648
      @taohuang5648 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      0

    • @ckilr01
      @ckilr01 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You can get more energy from an old washing machine motor wind or water power set up. You can built it free from junk.

  • @operationhotshotinc.6887
    @operationhotshotinc.6887 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    So happy I found this channel
    It popped up in my feed randomly

  • @mrkrause3
    @mrkrause3 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Another great informative video. I hope you will continue to offer solar panel videos as the solar panel industry/ products continue to progress. Thanks again!

    • @GjaP_242
      @GjaP_242 ปีที่แล้ว

      Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency rates, typically in the 15-20% range. This high efficiency rate means they produce more power per square foot, and are therefore very space-efficient.
      Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon. Polycrystalline solar cells are blended from multiple silicon sources and are slightly less efficient. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient type of panel compared to polycrystalline and thin-film options. Typically installed for larger power systems in commercial and residential properties. 0:05 [Architectural Digest; Forbes; Geotherm Hvac com; Unbound Solar]

  • @wearemilesfromnowhere4630
    @wearemilesfromnowhere4630 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Helpful video. Just enough to get me in trouble. Thank you!

  • @primitivebob8781
    @primitivebob8781 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very glad to have found your channel. Very nice, smart and interesting videos.

  • @marionecula9771
    @marionecula9771 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very interesting vlog. Educational, with direct, life situation applications. Thank you!

  • @raulescobar3881
    @raulescobar3881 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You’re awesome! Thank you for sharing this great information!

  • @MandrewP
    @MandrewP 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You just make wonderful videos!

  • @cynthiaarmstrong7972
    @cynthiaarmstrong7972 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is the best breakdown of the manufacturing process that underlies the reasons for WHY poly vs mono work the way they do. Thanks Belinda!!

  • @Corvid_Moon
    @Corvid_Moon 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such a professional and well-made video! Very informative, especially as I plan to go off-grid soon. Subscribed :)

    • @dooovde
      @dooovde 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You'd only need 40 of these panels to use a hair dryer...

  • @victorhex6380
    @victorhex6380 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good informational video.

  • @darrylbanjoo2675
    @darrylbanjoo2675 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video, very informative.

  • @Joanzak52
    @Joanzak52 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your videos

  • @Solarismypassion
    @Solarismypassion 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    really good informative video ..thanks

  • @AbidAli-bv2gl
    @AbidAli-bv2gl 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video

  • @galas455
    @galas455 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good information, thanks Belinda

  • @SimpleTek
    @SimpleTek 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'd love it if you did a review on thermal solar energy collectors like an evaporative tube array!!! I do a lot of work with storing solar thermal energy for greenhouses and I love your reviews!!!!

  • @philiplarson2229
    @philiplarson2229 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your videos.

  • @sherfinkbiner8278
    @sherfinkbiner8278 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good info, thx for this!

  • @Dibblah1900
    @Dibblah1900 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of the screens shown in that manufacturing video is fascinating. Due to the doping, the semiconductor junctions are not just light -> electricity. If you supply a forward voltage to the cell, it lights up. This is very dim, but can be seen in very low light with a long exposure camera. You can use this to see how well the soldering worked, check for cracked cells in a completed panel, etc. Great video as always!

  • @bobcalder724
    @bobcalder724 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    great video as always ....

  • @michaellane4762
    @michaellane4762 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I had to subscribe. Intelligent information and clips of the Simpsons and pro wrestling. How can you not love a channel like this.

  • @joemomumbo
    @joemomumbo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you, belinda

  • @2bczar4u
    @2bczar4u 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Down the rabbit hole of solar, baaaaaahh. Just when I thought my questions were answered apparently there are a lot more questions, lol. One question I would like to have answered is how to tell which ones are cheaply manufactured and who isn't? I suppose a second question is, how good are those flexible ones? A third question is can you have a mixed bag of types and does it degrade efficiency if you do?
    Ok, don't want to be greedy with my questions. Thank you Belinda and other responders. I am glad I found your channel.

    • @plove9136
      @plove9136 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Rich poly panels are great and not made in China, India and Vietnam .

  • @dan32one44
    @dan32one44 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome 👏

  • @cjjenson8212
    @cjjenson8212 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for teaching!
    Will prowse got very similar results and so now I have my 2nd opinion.
    Now I can start surgery!

  • @fkgaasdkjnv4824
    @fkgaasdkjnv4824 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your channel is simply amazing, very informative and interesting as well. Love the hilarious clips, and your accent is very beautiful. Your video on shipping container scam drew me in, and was eye opening. Somehow your totally correct and logically sound arguments were hurting people's feelings over their hardset belief of saving the planet one shipping container at a time. LoL

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks a lot for the support!

    • @bdwilcox
      @bdwilcox 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same here. I was hoping she would also direct her keen eye towards the current barndominium craze to see if those are all they're cracked up to be.

  • @NothusDeusVagus
    @NothusDeusVagus 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I enjoy your presentations partially because you seem to present a considered and largely unbiased point of view with the information that you have on most subjects... the fact is that as humans we are all biased and discriminatory. It's hardwired into us as an integral part of our survival skillset and even if we are mindful of it and try to mitigate the effects on our choices it still has some influence on our perceptions, feelings, thoughts, actions etc. it's clear that you at least try and it is appreciated.
    I am of the belief that Experiments are rarely complete failures so long as something is learned from them. That which is learned may not always be what you set out to discover in the first place but thats the universe for you so we just have to deal with it.
    I make no claim to a scientific background 🤓but I can be awfully pedantic and certain things stick in my mind and one is that an ideal, sucessfullly thought out, planned and executed experiment should be repeatable and be consistant in it's structure subjects and conditions in every aspect especially when the exercise involves a direct comparison of two or more defined products, items, systems and the data that is expected to be collected is likely to be diverse and from that diverse data, expected to provide an actionable conclusion.
    If my understanding is correct, in this case you were exploring the various costs involved in production of those products, the installation of those products, not so much the care and maintenance of them but you did cover their performance overall. The defined periods of time and the conditions involved on those products however were not as well defined and to my world view which I am told can be overly simplistic, your experiment was more of a fact fishing expedition. It didnt quite cut the mustard where one or more of the aforementioned examination points were concerned.
    The conclusions left me uncertain. The presentation suceeded in that I'd want to research more on the subject to gain a workable understanding on the subject but I'd be hesitant to base a "to buy or not to buy" decision on those findings🧐... You still get a thumbs up and a smiley face 🤩because I'm a fan but...

  • @kellymelrose8527
    @kellymelrose8527 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    fantastic ..

  • @SianaGearz
    @SianaGearz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    With the voltage test you have mostly measured the number of series semiconductor junctions. There are definitely elements connected in series, or you would never get far beyond 0.7V, most likely around 0.6V, since every junction is also a silicon diode limiting its output voltage, but not limiting the harvestable current. Indeed for the mono-si panel with 33 series junctions, 0.6V*33 = 19.8V which tracks closely with your experiment. The poly-si panel with 36 series junctions should top out at about 21.6V by the same paper napkin math, which is by no means exact, but experiment is also within this bound. There also should be bypass diodes in the panel, external to the solar cells, to allow a partially shaded assembly to still produce some output. In order to account for this and several other factors, solar regulators use MPPT or "maximum power point tracking", applying the optimal load impedance to the panel or a homogeneous array depending on the output. Ultimately, unloaded test is of no meaning, you really can't determine their power without both a regulator and a battery or consumer that can take as much power as you're able to harvest.

  • @lowrads3653
    @lowrads3653 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You could probably do a whole series on diodes and dump loads, the changing environment of feed-in tariffs, and the separate factors which govern the value of storage or production.

  • @johnwyman6331
    @johnwyman6331 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for your efforts in presenting this information.
    Just to let you know, measuring only voltage does not give the power output of a panel. Just as measuring RPM only does not give the power output of an engine. A lawn mower engine at 2000 RPM, and a big truck engine at 2000 RPM do not both produce the same amount of power. With engines you also have to measure torque at load in order to calculate horsepower.
    With electrical generators including solar panels, you also have to measure the amperage at load in order to calculate Watts.
    I recommend people interested in solar to buy two panels, and four 6 volt golf cart batteries along with a 12 / 24 volt charge controller. With this equipment you can learn about series, parallel, and series parallel wiring by wiring it up as a 12-volt system, or a 24 volt system. Then you can take your bedroom Off the Grid!
    By the way, photovoltaic cells produce approximately one half of a volt each at load, a little higher unloaded. So each of those panels cells must have been wired in series.

  • @senthilkumarn4u
    @senthilkumarn4u 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    will explained.. 👏👌

  • @kraftzion
    @kraftzion 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great channel! I would be interested in a comparison at different times of day. I watched a comparison of 2 different kinds of solar panels on another channel a while back, i am assuming it was poly vs mono. He found that while 1 produced more energy at peak, the other produced more energy off peak. I believe his conclusion was that the 1 that produced more energy off peak(higher angle of incidence) produced the most total energy.

  • @daviddorge1559
    @daviddorge1559 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your drop in video shots kill me lol. The Rock one was the funniest

  • @hubbardhamlin2
    @hubbardhamlin2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    @ Belinda Carr. I love when you inject humor into your videos. "the wrestler clip". I am a subscriber.

  • @jasonbrown467
    @jasonbrown467 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    excellent video. maybe should have showed current while doing those voltage tests. the industry says mono is the way to go but when i saw many youtubers getting 105 watts out of poly thats where i put my money. i bought 4 rich solar 100 watt poly panels, wired them in series and rand that over 60 foot of 16 gauge wire and the max output was 398 watts. but my power production sucks bad in over cast days, so i bought 4 rich solar mono panels to test and use, but they haven't made it out to the yard yet.

  • @user-ge4mz3rl8h
    @user-ge4mz3rl8h 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Belinda amazing videos, thank you very much! Can I ask what is your professional background?

  • @edwardliquorish8540
    @edwardliquorish8540 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sina drums and Belinda Carr.
    Love you both.

  • @Handles_AreStupid
    @Handles_AreStupid ปีที่แล้ว +1

    To be clear, the power output is rated at 50W. This means that if one panel measured 14v and the other measured 20v, they would have a current output of 3.57A and 2.5A respectfully. The number of cells is irrelevant as it it more important as to whether they are connect in series or parallel.
    When the cells are in parallel, the voltage stays the same but the current increases for each cell added. When the cells are in series, the current stays the same but the voltage increases for each added cell. If you had 10 cells rated at 5v (volts) 1A (amps), you could connect them to get 5v at 10A or 50v at 1A. Ultimately, both systems would output a consistant 50 watts of power regardless of how you connected them, you won't get a penalty or benefit for either configuration, you just use which ever is most useful for your application. Neither cell configuration would be outputting more power than the other.

  • @shakyamuni8985
    @shakyamuni8985 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Belinda
    🙏From🇮🇳
    Vary usefull video on ur chanal...
    Tnnku

  • @whyyoulidl
    @whyyoulidl ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks again for this (I'm on a roll with your back-catalogue); Not sure if you picked this up, but at 01:07 - the decimal point is 1 unit out?

  • @richhagenchicago
    @richhagenchicago 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like your videos. A couple of comments on this one though: Voltage is not output. The number of cells in series matters for voltage, but not for current, and power is the product of both. For a reasonable comparison, you are really looking to measure the maximum power point under operating conditions, including your partial shading. Just measuring voltage output does not tell you too much about the energy that they will produce. Just like measuring the pressure out of a water spigot does not tell you how much water you can get out of it in a given time. The power out is a function of the voltage and the current, so you need to monitor both simultaneously under loads to get an accurate picture of its power output. Some solar controllers, used mainly for battery charging drop the panels output voltage to just above the battery and the current at that voltage is what gets through to the battery. The panels you had there are basically configured for 12V battery charging applications in that the voltage will be high enough from the panel to push current into a 12V lead acid battery under most circumstances. Panels for such purposes generally have open circuit voltages under daytime solar insulation of between 17 and 22 V or so so that the voltage of the panel is high enough to push the current through to the battery. Other more sophisticated controllers monitor the voltage and current outputs of the panel or panels and calculate and hold the panel at the maximum power point, the voltage at which the panel generates the most power, and that power is converted to a voltage just high enough to push it into a battery, or an inverter to push back to the grid, depending upon the application. Solar panels designed for grid tie applications often have more cells in series and much higher output voltages, and are also often strung in series to voltages near 600V or even 1000V as at higher voltages you can move more power over a given size of wire with lower losses as the power lost is equal to the square of the current divided by the resistance of the conductor and the current is much lower with panels in series as compared to connecting them in parallel at lower voltage. The ability to use thinner conductors with lower loss makes solar installations cheaper.

  • @AllanSavolainen
    @AllanSavolainen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You do need to measure both voltage and current to compare those panels, and preferrably use a MPPT solar charger as the panels might have different load curves.

  • @daniellassander
    @daniellassander 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very good video, factual and interesting at the same time that is hard to pull off, so really well done. One thing which is also important is the average lifespan of these solar panels just as some added information, if their life span differs ofcourse.
    Love your videos, im here for more.

    • @BelindaCarr
      @BelindaCarr  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks, Daniel! Both panels claimed to have a useful life of 25 years.

    • @murphymmc
      @murphymmc 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BelindaCarr Good information, but "useful life" is a fairly ambiguous term. What is the diminishing return in that 25 year "useful life"? That will affect the economics of a marginal, at best, investment. When the government subsidies are removed in the next few years it will be an even more marginal if not sketchy investment. To date, the group benefiting the most from the existing solar technology is the manufacturer. Payback, maintenance, diminishing performance all point the advantages of spending the money on a "super" insulated structure vs. alternate and inefficient energy products. Could you do, a study on the benefits of using efficient conventional systems, i.e. heat pump, mini-split systems, water heated via heat pump coupled with structure that incorporates R-50 plus walls and roof? An effective air seal plus a system using high R-factor and thermal mass combination will be a century long + investment rather than an expensive solar panel system and we haven't even gotten into the additional cost of the electrical wiring needed to make solar(or wind) practical.

  • @RC-su4mz
    @RC-su4mz 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can you do a video on what manufactured is best to buy from if they're going to install solar panel on a house

  • @stanw909
    @stanw909 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I just sold my 1994 Bounder motorhome with 210 watts of monocrystaline panels. 26 years old and still putting out the juice.

  • @softkitty2553
    @softkitty2553 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is there any chance you could indicate what good quality brands panels are and what poor quality ones might be around?

  • @robertwilson5615
    @robertwilson5615 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting video, thanks.
    If you do another panel video, you might mention that so-called 12V panels are really 18V. Go to Amazon and you'll see that the 12V and 18V panels for sale have similar specs - open circuit voltages of 20-24V and maximum power point voltages of 18V or so.
    The 12V mis-label possibly comes from the use of the panels to charge 12V batteries, but they really are 18V panels.

  • @peshawaaaa
    @peshawaaaa 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    دەست خۆش مامۆژن

  • @raj4558
    @raj4558 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    U r great

  • @Sonicorchestra
    @Sonicorchestra 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thx.

  • @brianpatrickbarnes
    @brianpatrickbarnes 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    BC, The static voltage test is not measuring anything useful because there is ~zero current and therefore no power.
    Having them spin a fan or pump water and then measuring the power by simultaneously measuring voltage and amps would be more interesting.
    Timing the pumping a gallon of water alternating between the two panels would be an interesting test of Useful Power! ⚡
    Hooking them up in opposition and seeing which one detonates first might be fun to watch! 💥
    If you break one, Nuke a fragment in your ex's Microwave to see if you can create Plasma. 🔥

  • @johngott8224
    @johngott8224 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would be interested to know the comparison of how the output degrades over time (0y, 1y, 5y, etc). I also think you could spend more time on factors like:
    a. panel failure (availability of replacements, as an incentive to buy from an established “premium” brand)
    b. future increased efficiency as the technology improves (a deterrent against buying a very premium, top-performing model today)
    c. the efficiency of the two panel types at different angles (assuming most people have a static mount, is there an advantage to one type throughout the day/year? In other words, can you make up the cost difference of the mount is not optimal?
    d. does the pairing of micro inverters vs. a string inverter change the overall system comparing the two types of cells?

  • @RobinFoxy
    @RobinFoxy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the video, I have received a quote for a solar installation for my home with Mono panels from SP-FG-390W is this a reputable brand?

    • @Jo-xf4nt
      @Jo-xf4nt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes, I'd like to know a reportable company as well.

  • @asherajja4206
    @asherajja4206 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good job on the intro lolol still laughing about that

  • @Aasenzeng
    @Aasenzeng 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    9:08 my favorite moment of this vid

  • @pesomistic7656
    @pesomistic7656 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    i have both the poly runs cooler under the Texas sun during summer, thus sustaining a higher output longer. Mono runs noticeably hotter by 1pm output starts dropping.

  • @ArgonDavid
    @ArgonDavid 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    More energy release is crucial so polycyrstalline is better especially when inclined. If it were like sunflower mode that is movement facing Sun will give more better output.

  • @BB-sm8ey
    @BB-sm8ey 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video as always, except for the final statement about brand quality - lacking any evidence or quantitative data. Are lower prices a factor of volume or corner cutting? Are lifespans really reduced, because I don't see that (friends who install fields of solar see consistent failure rates pretty much irrespective of brand)... I would love it if you explored that more deeply.

  • @garrystreeter-noaafederal2049
    @garrystreeter-noaafederal2049 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good video, however I would be interested in knowing output power vs angle to the sun. If poly is less angle dependent for stable output, then I would not need to have adjustable mounting angle for consistent power output in higher latitudes.

  • @jons6125
    @jons6125 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You videos are great and most of the information in this video is awesome but voltage is probably a poor metric for the panel output comparison?

  • @ToppledTurtle834
    @ToppledTurtle834 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    So is the 3 day cooling to minimize the amount of crystals in the panel? I know that that is what happens when you cool metals more slowly and wonder if that is what happens with these panels as well

  • @CaioPeixoto1
    @CaioPeixoto1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    potential (V) is nice and all, bu have you tried comparing it under load ?
    Love the 'energy to produce' aspect, very important.... Cheers!

  • @alpaykasal2902
    @alpaykasal2902 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    When you blocked the sunlight from the panels with the paper and the towel, i wondered what wavelengths the panels absorb as the paper and towel may let some wavelengths (such as UV and IR) through.

  • @pvc4343
    @pvc4343 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    In your view what would the best manufacturer to buy from? Thanks

  • @mariuszgk.2084
    @mariuszgk.2084 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Perfect intro...

  • @qborne
    @qborne 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can you educate us about windows and different type of walls and 3d print applications in housing

  • @AskIveSolar
    @AskIveSolar 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    TH-cam recommended it, I watched so I might as well comment right.

  • @Texaca
    @Texaca 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    .... 🤣🤣🤣🤣 funny intro, it's hysterical 👍

  • @yasminfinlay8018
    @yasminfinlay8018 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What are your thoughts on Geothermal energy systems for energy supply?

  • @pmiecz
    @pmiecz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    thx

  • @jmackinjersey1
    @jmackinjersey1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm just wondering why you added another set of wires(resistance), instead of pressing/attaching the meter leads directly to the first set of wires?

  • @electrodacus
    @electrodacus 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Open circuit voltage is what you measured and that is mostly proportional with the number of cells as all cells are connected in series and they are basically a diode and so have a voltage drop of 0.6 to 0.7V mostly dependent on cell temperature.
    The current is the one that is proportional with the amount of light.
    Unfortunately this smaller panels have fake ratings in most cases like the Renogy max power point voltage of 18.3V (just 33 cells) is not true an inflated to make the panel look better in terms of efficiency and rated power. The Rich Solar panel has more realistic spec so will likely be correctly rated at 50W.
    If you want to compare Mono with Poly crystalline panels the take large 60 cell panels from one of the top 5 or top 10 manufacturers as those panels will have correct specs as they are sold in huge volumes representing likely close to 80% of world production. Today there is no more than about 1% difference in efficiency between mono and poly and also almost no cost difference as the solar cells are a fairly small part of the total cost of the solar panels.
    Cost amortisation for solar panels is lower than $0.02/kWh making them the lowest cost energy source thus the reason I use solar PV to fully power my offgrid house including heating.

  • @Cracked1ce
    @Cracked1ce 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    If you want you can come out and take a look at my 12Kw installation, I am in Anna. just a short drive from Dallas

  • @thockoro
    @thockoro 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Belinda what are the things to look out for to pick a good quality pannel? You mentioned cheap vs expensive but how do I know I'm not just buying and overpriced low quality product?

  • @decem_unosquattro9538
    @decem_unosquattro9538 ปีที่แล้ว

    Which type of panel would you buy Belinda? Monocrystaline or polycrystalline?

  • @shreyaskumar5366
    @shreyaskumar5366 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You should have also tested the short circuit currnet for both panels at it yould have given total Power (Volts × Current = power in watts)

  • @martinli2544
    @martinli2544 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    hmm, in terms of solar energy, I think it may be worth it to consider panel stacking; let's say for example you will have a octagonal prism, with the insides paneled up, and to just a few units of expansion there is yet to be another layer of panels and so forth, each of these (from shell to shell) with a gap just narrow enough for a light beam to pass. Now to these panels, we should focus on material that will absorb only a specific wavelength of light, say one shell does blue, another does, green, or each shell as you rotate around the faces of the prism has all the color frequencies covered(the ones that exists in the emission spectrum of your light source). The point of this is to maximize the absorption of ambient light emission itself, in that if supposing you can have a material for each wavelength, you can split a light source, make it cohered, and disperse each to their designated 'capturers'. The second advantage to this is that your panels don't take up a shit load of land space, this they are all stacked. So where then will the energy for this laser come from? I think the answers for this should lie in spending some consideration/focus on thinking about the way day & night cycles create motion. For example day is hotter, night is cooler. If in day you accumulate heat and at night you evolve that heat, you basically have a battery that is made out of heat, heat accumulation can drive a turbine via kinetic energy delivery as the medium used moves from phase change/magnetic change/and other kinds of transformations available to that medium out of heat difference. And the kinetic energy delivery can even be done indirectly via processes like from air moving thru a pipe therefore creating sound which vibes up a resonating unit, whose work should be translated into light emission and the subsequent coherence of that light into laser power, which then is delivered to the shell and so will power the solar panel array...but then again, if you have the power then to create a laser why not just deliver the energy generated via the heat evolution process itself? And my answer to that should be that it may be one of many ways to build up voltage&watts into a level that is worthwhile for domestic/corporate use. Oh and for the solar panels being arranged this way, you can also shelter it from any outside elements like wind, etc and it won't give glare. I guess in my mind atm I'm seeing it play role as a kind of intermediate form of energy transformation where suppose you only had a very low overall potential gradient difference to work with for whatever reason, and so to survive there you have to be able to live off of the smallest bits of heat potential difference, too small to save up in terms of physical work, so it is all thrown into circuitry and amplified up via light absorption of that output.

    • @billtaylor292
      @billtaylor292 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Greetings! Welcome to Earth. Sorry, your ideas won't work here because we have different laws of physics.
      And what planet are you from?

  • @ultimatevixn
    @ultimatevixn 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    which one is likely to cause a fire at your house? I would like to try solar panels to offset electric cost.

  • @daviddarnell8898
    @daviddarnell8898 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Showing volts is like telling us the psi in a water system. We need the volume as well to know if we can take a shower. Electrical volume is measured in amps. Amps (volume) times volts (pressure) gives us watts (liters per hour times psi). Watts tells us how much total power is being produced at any instant.

  • @cho4d
    @cho4d 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    instant like for hans moleman

  • @robertoaguiar6230
    @robertoaguiar6230 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would be nice to see voltage/cell or per area compared