Solar Panels-Uni Solar or conventional
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 09:00
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18588
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5
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Member - Jimbo (VIC)
Yeah, Solar again.
I'm about to buy and am very interested in the Uni Solar which I am told is a "light energy" panel which is supposed to have three advantages over conventional solar:
1. They produce power in the shade
2. They don't have to be angled directly at the sun
3. They perform efficiently when hot whereas conventionals lose efficiency over 25 C.
Opinions please, especially from anyone who has a Uni Solar, but of course everyone is welcome LOL.
Cheers,
Jim.
Reply By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 10:42
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 10:42
This could get interesting...... lol
we have unisolar [as you know] we're happy with them so far, have worked
well both in direct light and shade, Al did a lot of research and made his decision based on what he felt we needed - I guess that's all anyone can do...
cheers
Lyn
AnswerID:
88852
Reply By: Flash - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:06
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:06
I have had both, and would not own Unisolar again.
Sold my Unisloar and now have 2X 120 watt Kyocera- better in nearly every respect.
Yes, Unisolars are more difficult to break, but from there it's all pretty much bad news.
Kyocera and similar are lighter, more compact etc etc.
PS NO solar panel works very
well when shaded. It's an urban myth.
AnswerID:
88867
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:03
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:03
I agree I sold my BP panels and got unisolar, although they work as stated they are much more bulky I would now choose Kyocera if the handbrake would allow.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:17
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:17
Hi Dodger,
Any reason for choosing Kyocera over the BP ones ?
FollowupID:
347746
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Thursday, Dec 16, 2004 at 08:50
Thursday, Dec 16, 2004 at 08:50
I would choose the Kyocera because they are smaller in size for the same output compared to any other panel. Oh and are just as robust as any of the popular breeds.
FollowupID:
347906
Reply By: Member - Raymond - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:24
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:24
Hi Jim
I have two unisolar panels and they work fine. One 32 + one 64 watt panel. I find that they handle the rough and tumble of 4WDing and if slightly damaged can be repaired with silicone. The 32 watt is flexible and I often just lie it across the windscreen. The 64 watt is a fixed panel. The glass ones are slightly cheaper and are smaller, but with my success with breaking the SWMBO's cyrstal wine glass on tour the unisolar are better for me.
Check around as the price variance was amazing. One panel is 15 year old and still working fine
AnswerID:
88869
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:15
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 14:15
Quote:
" but with my success with breaking the SWMBO's cyrstal wine glass on tour the unisolar are better for me."
Jeez, you blokes sure do it tough in the scrub, eh?? Crystal wine glasses; remind me never to go
camping with you lot....hahahaha
Goodonya mate
FollowupID:
347745
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:32
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 12:32
Jim, Collyn Rivers writes some interesting stuff about uni solar in the last article on
this page
AnswerID:
88871
Follow Up By: David Au - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 13:04
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 13:04
There is serious errors of statement on the supplied URL
Suggest you download any PDF file on mono-multi-poly crystalline panels to see how wrong some of the statements are.
Here is a link to the BP380 80w solar panel PDF file. Look at the BP80 I-V Curves.
What further makes that article so incorrect is that all mono-multi-poly crystalline panels are rated output at a 25°C, and with temperatures lower than 25°C actually increase their output. The decrease in power output over 25°C is minuscule as you can see by the graph on the BP brochure and would be about 3% at 50°C
Amorphous panels if you download their brochures you will find that from 25°C and down, they loose serious power like 10%+
FollowupID:
347730
Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 20:20
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004 at 20:20
jim. with solor panels i think you will be happy with whatever you get provided
its big enough for the job you want it to do. i have photowatt&shell solor panels
and are happy with them both garr for 25 years. cheers brian
AnswerID:
88952