As per prevous reports, households are identified by initials – number of panels – tilt angle - orientation (e.g. SP-6-37-N = Simon Pockley - 6
panels - 37o – North). [NB.
To print - use Landscape format]. Graph #1 shows whole of system outputs beside
the total number of generating hours for the last 12 months. The differences
between the total generating hours is less that 7% and between kWh generated
clearly aligned with size of system (number of panels).
Graph #1. 12 month comparison of whole of
system output (ranked by tilt angle)
Graph #2 normalises
the kWh output by providing kWh output per panel. Tilt angle is barely
significant in as far as there is a difference of only 9.19% (20kWh) between
the highest and lowest output (CK and SP). However, the highest overall output
is at latitude (37.5 degrees). As expected, we have seen the shallow tilt
angles race ahead of the steeper tilts in summer and fall back in winter. While
output has been impacted by shade, location is clearly (curiously) a factor in
that the 3 highest outputs (MG,TD, SP) are next door to each other and have
quite different tilt angles.
Graph #2. 12 month comparison of kWh output
per panel (ranked by tilt angle)
Graph #3 shows the average number of hours per day that the inverters
turned themselves on and generated power over the 12 months between 13th
July 2008 – 13th July 2009. The curve follows the expected patterns
of seasonal day length. It is interesting to compare this with the variable
outputs in Graph #4.
Graph #3.
Comparison of average daily generating hours measured per fortnight over 12
months.
Graph #4 shows the
extent to which factors such as heat, dust and cloud have impacted on the
seasonal kWh output of all the systems.
Graph #4.
Comparison of all KWh output per panel over 12 months.
Graph #5 shows the
seasonal rate of conversion of the available solar energy. Available solar
energy is taken from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Melbourne figures collected at the
airport. The cooler seasons appear favour conversion efficiency. Our top
reading was 18.31% (SP in June 2009) and out bottom reading was 8.23% (DC in
December 2008).
Graph #5. Comparison of monthly rates of conversion of the available solar energy