This is for a totally offgrid system.
I have two of the H model DC Solar trailers which have two SMA 6048 inverters each and one Midnite Solar 250 each. Each trailer also has 10 - 265w solar panels and 2 520ah forklift battery. I'm in Louisiana and get very few clear days so solar generation is poor. My idea to compensate for the lack of sunshine was to buy as many solar panels as I could, but I think I screwed up.
I bought what I thought was the best used panels available on ebay, 30 SunPower 435w commercial panels. They are hugh but I can get all 30 on the roof of my metal building, although half of them will point slightly north. I didn't think that was too big of a deal since most days are cloudly anyway. That's not my biggest concern.
What I need to know now is what charge controllers do I need to handle all these solar panels. Sunnyboy string inverters have been suggested on the Facebook forum, but I don't need additional inverters, I just need charge controllers. Now if the Sunnyboy can replace the Sunny Island inverters, then that may be a viable solution, however, I don't believe the Sunnyboy will charge my batteries or use battery power. I think they are solar only, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, is the best solution to just replace my current inverters and charge controllers with all-in-one units like the MPP LV6548? I would need two of them for 240v. Can two of these handle 13kw (on a good day) of solar? I thought I would be able to get away with just adding a few more Midnite 250's, but the open circuit voltage of these panels is 85.6v volts, so the strings would only consist of 3 panels. How many strings can I connect? Is that determined by the wattage of the panels?
As you can see, I am very confused and need some guidance. What is the simplest, most cost effective option?
I have two of the H model DC Solar trailers which have two SMA 6048 inverters each and one Midnite Solar 250 each. Each trailer also has 10 - 265w solar panels and 2 520ah forklift battery. I'm in Louisiana and get very few clear days so solar generation is poor. My idea to compensate for the lack of sunshine was to buy as many solar panels as I could, but I think I screwed up.
I bought what I thought was the best used panels available on ebay, 30 SunPower 435w commercial panels. They are hugh but I can get all 30 on the roof of my metal building, although half of them will point slightly north. I didn't think that was too big of a deal since most days are cloudly anyway. That's not my biggest concern.
What I need to know now is what charge controllers do I need to handle all these solar panels. Sunnyboy string inverters have been suggested on the Facebook forum, but I don't need additional inverters, I just need charge controllers. Now if the Sunnyboy can replace the Sunny Island inverters, then that may be a viable solution, however, I don't believe the Sunnyboy will charge my batteries or use battery power. I think they are solar only, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, is the best solution to just replace my current inverters and charge controllers with all-in-one units like the MPP LV6548? I would need two of them for 240v. Can two of these handle 13kw (on a good day) of solar? I thought I would be able to get away with just adding a few more Midnite 250's, but the open circuit voltage of these panels is 85.6v volts, so the strings would only consist of 3 panels. How many strings can I connect? Is that determined by the wattage of the panels?
As you can see, I am very confused and need some guidance. What is the simplest, most cost effective option?
Attachments
Last edited: