Sollatek GlowStar
Solar Module Use
To get the most out of your Glowstar, we have provided some useful general guidelines on Solar modules and their use. This is not exhaustive by any means and if you have any further questions, we will be happy to assist;
Positioning;
Position the solar
module where it gets no shade or shadow over it all day. Charging though window
glass will reduce the charging efficiency. For fixed mounting, it should be
tilted at an angle according to the table below and towards the equator. Make
sure vehicles will not run into it or animals knock it over. It is best mounted
on the roof or some other permanent position where it will not be damaged, moved
or stolen. Mount it on a small metal or wooden frame to keep it away from the
surface of the roof to allow air to circulate under it. This will improve
efficiency by preventing the module from getting too hot. Don't mount it direct
on a metal roof or surface as this will get too hot. Instead put a wooden board
or similar on the metal roof.
Charging;
Get
into the habit of leaving the Glowstar plugged in to the charge all the time and
only remove it when you need to use the lantern in an other room or location.
Plug it back in as soon as you have finished. This way it will stay topped up
and ready for use all the time. It will also help to give longer battery life.
There is no problem leaving the solar module or charger plugged into the
Glowstar over night because the Glowstar has reverse discharge protection.
Travelling;
For
portable applications, avoid frequently holding the solar module by one edge and
tilting it, as this will in time cause a break along the top of the module.
Position the module in a place where it will not get any shadow later in the
day. Position it to face the sun and adjust the angle of it so as to make the
largest shadow on the ground behind it.
Orientation and cleaning;
Note that the black
surface of the amorphous solar modules is the active one and should face the
sun. The silver surface should face down. Carefully clean the surface of the
module once every 6 months or when dust builds up. Use a soft brush. The module
can also be wiped with a soft, damp cloth at a cooler time of day. Don’t use
rough or abrasive cleaners.
Tilt
Angle of Solar Module;
It is best to face it directly north (if you are in the southern
hemisphere) or directly south if you live in the northern hemisphere).
This way it will get the best total sun though out the day. Alternatively you
can move the module round as the day goes on! As a rough guide, tilt it at an
angel from the ground as shown in the table below. This will generally give you
the best solar charge through out the year, taking into account the worse month.
If it is not going to be cleaned regularly, don’t mount it at less than 15º
otherwise it won’t benefit from the natural washing effect of rain.
Location
latitude |
Suggested
Tilt Angle |
0-15° |
15º |
15-25° |
SAME
AS Latitude |
25-30° |
add
5° to local latitude |
30-35° |
add
10° to local latitude |
35-40° |
add
15° to local latitude |
40°
+ |
add
20° to local latitude |
The
table below give some examples
Location
|
Latitude,
(Longitude) |
Tilted
Angle |
Direction
to face |
Nairobi,
Kenya |
-1
, (36) |
15
|
North
|
Cairo,
Egypt |
30,
(31) |
40 |
South |
Khartoum,
Sudan |
15,
(32) |
15 |
South |
Accra,
Ghana |
5,
(0) |
15
|
South |
Lagos,
Nigeria |
6,
(3) |
15 |
South |
Tripoli,
Libya |
33,
(13) |
43 |
South |
Dar
Es Salaam, Tanzania |
-7,
(39) |
15 |
North |
Harare,
Zimbabwe |
-17,
(31) |
17 |
North |
Bangalore,
India |
13,
(77) |
13 |
South |
Kabul,
Afghanistan |
34,
(69) |
44 |
South |
Paris,
Northern France |
48,
(2) |
68 |
South |
Nice,
Southern France |
43,
(7) |
43 |
South |
Madrid,
Spain |
40,
(-3) |
45 |
South |
London,
England |
51,
(0) |
71 |
South |
This
depends on the Glowstar model you have and on your location on the globe. The
table below gives a guide. If you have a module that is too small, then the
battery will not be charged fully each day and so the lamp will turn off sooner
each evening. This will also mean the battery is permanently in a low state of
charge, which over a long period, will have a detrimental effect on battery
life.
You
can not have too large a solar panel, as long as you don’t exceed the 10W max
limit for the Glowstar and 20W max for the Glowstar Plus.
The
table shows the recommended peak power of the module. This takes into account
the worst month of the year for solar in that location, working on average solar
data over the past 10 years. It also assumes using 4 hours of a 5W lamp with
a Glowstar basic, or 7 hours of a
7W lamp with the Glowstar Plus. The figures in brackets are the calculated
minimum module size. Some generalisations have been made because of variations
across a region and there will also be variations due to localised climate
conditions. The table is therefore only an approximate guide. Contact Sollatek
for information that’s specific to your location and intended use.
Location
|
Tilted
Ave Insolation (sun hours per day) |
Glowstar
Module Wp |
Glowstar
Plus Module Wp. |
Nairobi,
Kenya |
4.0 |
5
(5) |
10
(12.25) |
Cairo,
Egypt |
5.0 |
5
(4) |
10
(9.8) |
Khartoum,
Sudan |
6.0 |
5
(3.3) |
10
(8.2) |
Accra,
Ghana |
3.5 |
5
(5.7) |
20
(14) |
Lagos,
Nigeria |
3.5 |
5
(5.7) |
20
(14) |
Tripoli,
Libya |
5.0 |
5
(4) |
10
(9.8) |
Dar
es Salaam, Tanzania |
4.0 |
5
(5) |
20
(12.25) |
Harare,
Zimbabwe |
5.5 |
5
(3.6) |
10
(8.9) |
Most
of India |
4.5 |
5
(4.5) |
10
(10.8) |
Kabul,
Afghanistan |
5.0 |
5
(4) |
10
(9.8) |
Northern
France |
1.5 |
20
(13.4) |
40
(32.7) |
Southern
France |
2.0 |
10
(10) |
20
(24.5) |
Spain |
3.0 |
10
(6.7) |
20
(16.4) |
England |
1.0 |
20
(20) |
50
(49) |