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Solar location

Mikmaster63

New Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
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I’m putting in a small backup system in my house.I’m trying to decide where to locate the equipment. my preferred location would be about 109 feet (wire run) away from where I plan on putting the solar panels(800 watts to start). the second location is about 25 feet closer. Am I going to gain that much by putting it 25 feet closer it’s already a pretty long run?
 
100feet is not what I would call a long run :) If you use regular US home wire size guides per amps you should be fine. For example 14awg is good for up to 15a, 12awg for up to 20a, 10awg for up to 30a - this is typically what Solar Panel +/- leads -> MC4 connectors use.

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I’m putting in a small backup system in my house.I’m trying to decide where to locate the equipment. my preferred location would be about 109 feet (wire run) away from where I plan on putting the solar panels(800 watts to start). the second location is about 25 feet closer. Am I going to gain that much by putting it 25 feet closer it’s already a pretty long run?
I'm at 600ft.. 100 is not a long run :) Just use a voltage calculator to figure out what the voltage drop will be. Determining what voltage to use is up to you and why it is important to figure that out since the distance, cable gauge, max voltage your charge controller can handle, and voltage and amps of your array configuration. All of these variables are determined by what equipment you buy and your preferences.
 
Lol. Ok thanks. I’m used to installing solar on RVs and so I thought those runs were long, so thanks for the info…
 
Just so long as your SCC or hybrid allows relatively high PV voltage, several panels in series.
I have up to about 200' runs in 12 awg, 380 Vmp and about 7A. That's around 1% loss.

If conduit, use large enough to pull additional wires.
 
It’s not long, just determine the factors like distance, cable gauge, charge controller’s voltage etc. but make sure that the enclosure is well ventilated.
 
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