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

 

Which Size of Solar Module?

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)