Backsheet failures from the field. Images: Crap Solar FB Page

On the 19th of June DuPont, the world’s largest chemical company, released their Global PV Reliability 2019 Field Analysis report.  It contains disturbing news on the reliability of plastic backsheets used for solar panels. [Read more…]

A new Module Reliability Scorecard was published earlier this month.  It reveals the sadistic practices of a standards organization that subjected solar panels to torturous tests so they could announce which ones came out on top. [Read more…]

Today I spoke with Michael Rush, the head of Sales and Marketing for Canadian Solar in Australia.  Well, I say I spoke to him today, but you’re actually reading this during my tomorrow — so my today is now your yesterday.  I guess time really is a wibbly wobbly thing.

He told me some interesting things.  They included: [Read more…]

Discover typical solar payback in 2019 for each of Australia’s state capitals.

One year and one month ago I wrote about the simple payback time of rooftop solar, which is how long it takes the savings from solar power to equal the cost of a system.  In most Australian capitals it took around 5 years or less, which meant rooftop PV was one of the best investments households could make.

I have done the same thing again — except differently [Read more…]

Large 72 Cell Solar Panels Can Go On Home Roofs But They Must Be Clamped Correctly

This article is about big solar panels.  Bigger than the standard sized 60 cell panels commonly installed on residential roofs.  Those are only around 1m by 1.65m.  I’m talking about larger ones with 72 cells that are about 1m by 2m.  These larger panels are mostly used for commercial installations and solar farms, but they can be used on household roofs provided they are installed properly.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. [Read more…]

This article is about the best angle to tilt solar panels for the maximum possible energy yield over a year.  It’s a common belief that panel tilt from horizontal should equal a location’s latitude, but this is not quite correct. [Read more…]

Solar panel output reduces (slightly) as the temperature rises.

It’s an unfortunate fact the hotter it gets the worse solar panels perform.  As fossil fuel generators can suffer even greater efficiency loss due to heat, this is nothing to get all steamed up about.  But it’s still not a good thing.  [Read more…]

Solar panel manufacturers are always on the lookout for low cost improvements they can make to get an edge over the competition.  Or rather, stay in competition, as they are involved in a Red Queen Race¹ where they have to run as fast as they can just to stay where they are. [Read more…]

Optimal Orientation For Solar Panels In Australian Capitals: Directly North Isn’t Always Best

Update 2 March 2025: This was written in 2019 and insolation figures for Australian capitals have been updated since then.  Current results differ from what’s below, sometimes significantly. If you want up to date information, the best site to use I know of is PVWatts.

It is generally accepted the best direction to face solar panels to get the maximum possible output is directly north.  While this is not a bad direction, it is often possible to get a very small boost by having them face slightly away from due north.  Usually facing them a little to the east will improve output, but in some locations a small nudge to the west is best. [Read more…]