Dummy Panels?

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  • toothbrush
    Junior Member
    • Nov 2009
    • 4

    #1

    Dummy Panels?

    Hi,

    Has anyone had a homeowner or architect request that a dummy panel be placed on the roof as a space filler in an array? This panel would literally just be sitting there, not connected to anything but adjacent other panels. Any experiences with this at all?
  • russ
    Solar Fanatic
    • Jul 2009
    • 10360

    #2
    The architect is concerned with the appearance - balance is important to them. I can easily imagine one asking for a blank space to be filled.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    • Mike90250
      Moderator
      • May 2009
      • 16020

      #3
      I'd put the panel in, and hook it up.
      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

      Comment

      • lile001
        Solar Fanatic
        • Feb 2010
        • 105

        #4
        Originally posted by toothbrush
        Hi,

        Has anyone had a homeowner or architect request that a dummy panel be placed on the roof as a space filler in an array? This panel would literally just be sitting there, not connected to anything but adjacent other panels. Any experiences with this at all?
        In some countries, they sell wooden cell phones, so people can pretend they are talking on their fake phone when driving in their car.

        Yup, just buy an additional panel, nothing else will match. If you can't hook it into your string, say you have an odd number of panels and an even number in your string, just leave it in place with the wires taped off. If it's worth $300-$400 for a symmetrical look, then they've probably spent more than that on other useless stuff too.
        Lawrence Lile, PE

        Comment

        • Mike90250
          Moderator
          • May 2009
          • 16020

          #5
          I think Sharp makes some odd shaped panels.

          Now I want a wood grain cell phone!!
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

          Comment

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