Quick question about solar panels.

[Simi 60]

I am looking at getting several panels and I have a choice of two brands.
Both are tier 1 companies.

The ones on the left (Jinko) I can get for 2nd hand with 9.5 years of the 10 year warranty still in play.
They are around 30% cheaper than the ones on the right and specs (to me) look to be almost the same.
The cost saving will allow me to buy more panels and more batties.

The ones on the right (Winaico) are new, but more expensive therefore I will only buy what I need at the moment.



The question I have is the Winaico's are being described on the quote as 24v panels, is there such a thing?
My battery bank is 12v batteries wired up as 24v, so wouldn't the solar panels be 12v also and wired the same way?

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

The question I have is the Winaico's are being described on the quote as 24v panels, is there such a thing?
My battery bank is 12v batteries wired up as 24v, so wouldn't the solar panels be 12v also and wired the same way?

Specification wise they look nearly identical, so if they are the same quality, I would go with the cheaper ones.

"24v panels" should mean they are suitable for use in a 24v system. However most people seem to recommend a Vmp of 34-36 volts for 24v systems. That means neither of these panels would be ideal if used in series or as a single panel.

You have a 24v system, so I would either keep looking for panels, or plan to wire your panels in parallel and use an MPPT controller.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by RainDog

Specification wise they look nearly identical, so if they are the same quality, I would go with the cheaper ones.

Me to
I can get 10 panels for $500 less than what I was quoted for 6 of the others

You have a 24v system, so I would either keep looking for panels, or plan to wire your panels in parallel and use an MPPT controller.

I was quoted on a Victron 150/60mppt for the 6 panels.
Again for less money I can get a outback 150/80 shipped in from the US which would be better suited for the 10 panels.

[PaulinOz]

Outback Flexmax 150/80 max solar array recommended running at 24 volts DC is max 2000 watts for the Flexmax 60 is 1500 watts so if you have 10 x 250 watt panels I would look at 2 groups of 5 connected to 2 x Flexmax 60's or 2 x Victron 150/60mppt connected the same if you have the landscape available you could fit 2 x 6 (250 watt) as well.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by PaulinOz

Outback Flexmax 150/80 max solar array recommended running at 24 volts DC is max 2000 watts for the Flexmax 60 is 1500 watts so if you have 10 x 250 watt panels I would look at 2 groups of 5 connected to 2 x Flexmax 60's or 2 x Victron 150/60mppt connected the same if you have the landscape available you could fit 2 x 6 (250 watt) as well.

Thanks
At those prices maybe 8x250watts will be the number.
Anyone had any experience with some of the "other" brands of mppt's for a fraction of the cost?

[Moontide]

10 X 250 is a lot of juice. You'll be able to run air conditioning off those.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Moontide

10 X 250 is a lot of juice. You'll be able to run air conditioning off those.

Maybe but I am hoping not required as every side window on this behemoth is shaded, has tinted glass and is opening so ventilation is most impressive.
I have no a/c in my house and survive hot days with an outdoor shower and this has one of them as well


and a plunge pool.


What I am hoping instead is the existing, ridiculously large to our requirements, 140L Rheem electric HWS can stay as the only way to remove it is to crush it as it was built in.
Money saved if it can stay and dont need a new smaller one. Figuring I could maybe just turn it on every second day.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by PaulinOz

Outback Flexmax 150/80 max solar array recommended running at 24 volts DC is max 2000 watts for the Flexmax 60 is 1500 watts so if you have 10 x 250 watt panels I would look at 2 groups of 5 connected to 2 x Flexmax 60's or 2 x Victron 150/60mppt connected the same if you have the landscape available you could fit 2 x 6 (250 watt) as well.

Looking at other off grid solar setups for 2.5kw land based places
Thinking their MPPT options may be a bit more varied

This as one example
Midnite Classic Lite 150 volt, 80-96 amp MPPT Charge Controller
http://www.outbackmarine.com.au/clas...rge-controller

Bought through ebay.com (no au on end) lets me get one for $800 aud to my door

[Simi 60]

Interesting that this site which allows me to put in everything to be used says that 6 x 250 watt and a Victron BlueSolar 100/50 and a bit more battery than I have should be up for the task for 3 days autonomous.

Configure a 24V MPPT Board - Maximum Power Point Tracker | DIY Power System

[PaulinOz]

140 lt Rheem Electric.
How old is water heater? its been my experience that 10 - 12 years is about as long as they last so may be better to sort it out sooner than being forced to do it later in not so good circumstances.

[barnakiel]

They look basically identical, except one of the files says 'polycrystaline'. What is the other panel like? Also 'poly' or 'mono'?

I would get mono panels. Just my personal pref.

Given they are two poly panels I would buy the cheaper ones if the $ difference is tempting enough.

b.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by PaulinOz

140 lt Rheem Electric.
How old is water heater? its been my experience that 10 - 12 years is about as long as they last so may be better to sort it out sooner than being forced to do it later in not so good circumstances.

Yeah, it is about 10 years old.
As there are just the two of us onboard there are 10 litre/240v systems for about $300 that'd hook up where this was free up some cupboard space for home brew.

[PaulinOz]

Warm cupboard would be a good spot to run the home brew from.

That sounds like a Plan.

[Simi 60]

This MPPT I need.
If I was to get something like the MidNite classic 150/95A

to drive 8 panels which their calculator says I can do in 8 parallel strings, do I need a battery monitor?

Every quote I have had regardless of brand always has a victron BMV 702 added in.

I was under the impression that the screen on the front of that MPPT should do everything that a dedicated battery monitor would do.

[PaulinOz]

MPPT Screen will tell you all about what is going into your battery from solar and thats all.
Battery monitor will Give you in and out of batteries via a shunt mounted in line and if programed with battery capacity will also give you percentage charged, time to total discharge and history etc etc.