watt? watt? How do we tell the “truth about solar panels” using only current amps?

Is it because Watt is in second … not first?

The writer (Gary Hartman, Oct. 5) advises caution to his friend in California who is looking at solar power, but with mild errors of loss offers a cloudy photoelectric cloud that effect! Let me be direct and even offer an alternate reality (pun intended)!

The biggest part of being vigilant is being informed. The power output of any solar panel is measured in watts produced per hour of operation. Power in watts equals voltage times amperage.

A 14-panel solar array is rated to have a total of 17 amps’ of current. The amps cannot add because the string is wired in series. Low amps allow small wires to cut costs but the total voltage! Want more amps? The wire is just parallel.

People also read…

I find it impossible to elaborate without repeated errors of omission. But that “California Dreamin” array should produce about 5,600 watts per hour.

I also have a friend. He wrote that his on-grid, 22-panel solar array in North Albany produces about 1 million watts (1 megawatt) of power every 30 days from May to October, and then it shuts down during the winter. But their monthly electricity bill is set at $10.43!

The truth is not simple. Panel efficiency, series circuit, parallel circuits, degradation string or micro inverters, on-grid, off-grid and many more. But not worth the heart pills with nitroglycerine. Instead, do some Oregon dreamin’!