I recently picked up a Renogy 220w solar panel set, and on a bright sunny day, I'm only getting 173w out of it. That puts my efficiency at around 78% of the rated 220w. Am I doing okay with these numbers, or should I be expecting better performance?
3 Answers
When evaluating your solar panel's performance, it's common to aim for around 80% of the STC (Standard Test Conditions) rating under ideal conditions. Your readings of 78% are quite close to that benchmark! Just remember, factors like temperature, alignment, and even local weather can all impact output. If you're using an MPPT controller, ensure it's in bulk mode for accurate readings; otherwise, it can throttle the power going into your battery.
Yeah, I've found that many factors play into how well your panels perform – like clarity of the sky, temperature, and even the tilt of the panels. It's great that you're getting decent numbers, and many users report that their panels can sometimes perform even better during colder, sunny spells. Just keep monitoring those conditions, and you should be fine!
As a general rule, 80% efficiency is what many enthusiasts aim for on a good day, especially with standard panels. For foldables, I’d expect efficiencies between 50-70% due to their alignment challenges. Your performance seems reasonable for a foldable setup, so I wouldn’t be too worried about it unless the efficiency drops significantly more!