effects of a partial shadow on a solar panel

Posted By: walt26scolorado
Date: 4/26/09 4:15p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: solar panel location (walt26scolorado)

The attached picture is of a shadow on a 80 watt panel. The shadow is from the bimini several feet away. With the shadow only on a small portion of the panel corner, the current out was 2.1 amps (measured with Xantrex charge monitor). When the panel was moved very slightly so there was full sunlight (ie, moved so no more shadow), the current jumped up to 4.9 amps. So the little shadow shown in this picture cut the solar panel output to less than 1/2.