Solar panel question

[RWSlater]

I'm putting together a 3 panel array (yeah I have a hungry boat) and have heard that leaving a gap between the panels is wise. They say it serves two purposes, a gap allows air flow through the panels to cut down on heat and to help in them not becoming a flying wing, and for thermal expansion. Yet another person said, nah not necessary, just put them all together.

Thoughts?

Ron

 

[ggrizzard]

Don't know, but I will be doing the same and wondered the same thing.

 

[RWSlater]

I think I'm inclined to leave a bit of a gap maybe ½". Another reason I'm thinking is for rain water drainage. I don't really see an advantage having them right up against one another, but I see advantages on having a gap.

 

[Michael Davis]

If you put them close together in the tropics they will shrink as you go north or south. The wing idea I'm not so sure about??? I think you'd need a fair space to make a difference.

 

[walt]

this issue is probably in the noise compared to partial shading.

If you can guess the temperature difference, then see the example below (got from a very quick search), easy to calculate the power difference.

For example, the temperature coefficient of a Sharp Solar Panel NU-U230F3 is -0.485% per 1 degree Celsius. So, for every degree above 25°C, the maximum power of the
Sharp solar panel falls by 0.485%, for every degree above (below), it increases by
0.485%.

 

[centerline]

the flying wing effect is going to be very nearly same no matter if they are together or 3" apart... the combined surface area of the panels wont change with a gap between them, although the length of the outside parimeter of all 3 panels will increase..

with this in mind, it seems obvious that you plan to mount the array overhead... so cooling/heating of the panels will be what it will be, but for arrays that are mounted on the deck or with the back side of them covered, the heat/decreased efficiency can be a very big factor.

deck mounted panels, or flexible panels layed over a bimini should be raised an inch or two so that air can freely move around them for better cooling.

 

[RWSlater]

These panels are going to be mounted on 12" risers on the Davits. I now don't see any great advantage to mating them together or leave a gap. I have room for either