Real World Solar Efficiency with Smoke in the Air

[Canine]

How effective is solar with smoky air? Who has had experiences with that? Right now it is so smoky from forest/grass fires that I can't see the sun. Everything has a red tint.

 

[jimindenver]

Be it smoke or simply overcast, we can see half our output at mid day when we can't see the sun.

 

[akrvbob]

Can you see a shadow? If you can see a fairly distinct shadow from things then you are getting reasonably good power. No shadow means much less.
Bob

 

[SternWake]

The output will be restricted according to too many variables to give an accurate answer.

I've seen 3 amps in a rainstorm, I've seen 0.1 amps in a rainstorm from a system that is usually 11 to 12 amps at solar noon

Smoke can certainly be more restrictive than cloudcover.

 

[mockturtle]

Canine, I am presently in NE WA state and the smoke has been thick. This had adversely affected my solar efficiency to the point I've had to run my generator for several hours per day just to keep my batteries charged. Generally, my 200W of solar are adequate even in partly cloudy weather.

 

[jimindenver]

A low in the weather dried us up for a bit but brought the smoke here too, Pretty thick! There are warnings for sensitive people being outside. I'll let you know what the solar does.

 

[Canine]

No shadows at times. I was curious because the smoke filters out different wavelengths of light compared to clouds (creating a red tint on everything), I thought it might have a different effect on solar charging.

The smoke is giving me a porcupine in my throat!

 

[GypsyDogs]

Get a wheel-generator set up and put the porcupine to work running in it to make up for the loss of solar!

 

[SternWake]

When clouds or Smoke block the sun, I am thankful for My alternator, or to my adjustable voltage power supply if I have grid power available to power it. No generator in my possession. Hope to not change that ever.

Ammeters and amp hour counters will tell me if I need to cut back on battery usage.

 

[jimindenver]

Been out in the smoke all weekend and it really affects early and late low sun but mid day is close to normal.

 

[66788]

Lots of big fires lately in Northern CA. No noticeable degradation in my solar system. Still charges from 60% to full charge in a few hours.

I sympathize with you about the porcupine throat.

 

[Canine]

The heavy smoke does keep the camper cooler than full sun, so that is a benefit, but it does need to be pretty smoky to have an appreciable difference.