As we enter our 12th year as a leader in the solar retail industry, we have been contemplating ways to make our customers feel more secure and confident in deciding which energy conscious products to purchase. Below you will find a list of the most common questions and answers we have received throughout the years.
Will my solar lamp work if installed in a shaded area, because it still receives daylight sun?
Solar fixtures require direct contact sunlight in order to produce power and operate as stated. Be sure to place your solar fixtures in unobstructed, southern facing exposure.
Does the time of year have a negative or positive affect on my solar fixtures?
Yes, time of the year is relevant to run times and operation. Shorter days, mean limited daylight hours, which results in shorter run times for solar fixtures. In the summer season, the average daylight length is greater than 12 hours, meaning you will have the most recharge hours during summer months. The opposite goes for winter, with daylight hours being less than 12 hours daily. Many solar fixtures feature a low power option designed to be used in winter months to conserve power.
How long can I power my appliances and/or electronics on a solar generator?
The answer to this question varies depending upon what items you are looking to power. A good start is to take the watt draw of the item, multiplied by the number of hours it will be powered, divided into the Watt Hours of the unit you are interested in. You are always more than welcome to speak to one of our knowledgeable reps for a recommendation.
Will this solar system/panel overcharge my appliance?
Most of the plug and play or all-inclusive units feature an internal or included charge controller to prevent overcharging (Such as the Yeti 3000 Generator Kit). Typically, you will not need a charge controller unless you have more than five watts of solar for every 100-amp hours of battery capacity.
What is the difference between a modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverter?
Simply put, modified sine wave streams power to your devices in course, square waves. Where pure sine wave power flows in even, arching waves. We typically recommend pure sine wave use for high end and sensitive equipment.
What is the difference between Mono-crystalline and Poly-crystalline panels?
Mono-crystalline panels appear as a single color, feature the highest efficiency rating and therefore are the most expensive. Poly-crystalline typically have lower space-efficiency and cost. Please keep in mind, this does not necessarily mean every Mono-crystalline panel is superior to its Poly counterpart. Quality and efficiency vary based on the manufacturer.
Will my solar panels still generate power even when it is cloudy?
Yes, solar panels still generate power under cloudy conditions, just not quite as well. On your average overcast day, typical solar panels will produce 10-25% of their rated capacity.
Are there any financial or tax benefits to using and purchasing solar products?
Absolutely! Not only do you save money by not using your grid tied electric power, but larger products often offer tax rebates. We recommend reading up on your local state and federal tax incentives that are easily searchable on dsireusa.org.
Solar Power and energy conscious products are growing and improving every day. We strive to be just as innovative and proactive as the field itself. If you have any questions you would like answered, please feel free to leave a comment! As always, we are just a phone call away (877-548-3387) and are happy to offer our expertise.