SolarHead
50% of people are below average. (Its a statistic)
I have read and heard where if you add more panels on a string, that the voltage/amp specs have to be very close or exact and if not, then the entire string can suffer or be de-rated down to what the lowest powered panel(s) is/are on that string. Not sure if I'm right about that. Anyway, what if I add a brand new separate string but bring it into my combiner box? My combiner box has room for more fuse holders, and can handle up to 1,000 Volts. Currently each combiner box is 367V and 15A total (this is 18 solar panels within one combiner box). The 2 that I want to add, I would have them on their own string, a DC disconnect, and bring the wires over into same combiner box. The 2 new panels would not affect the other strings would they? Since the 2 new panels would be facing West or SouthWest, I imagine they'd kind of power up later in the day while the other 36 are starting to decrease in output. I'm sure I'm not thinking of everything here and is why I'm asking for help. Since the 2 new panels are on their own string, they can be of any brand and specs correct? I dont want to over-power my MPPT either. I think one combiner box is currently sending (at full PV output) 5,505 watts if my math and logic is correct. My inverter (Sol-Ark 12K) has two MPPT and each can handle up to 500V and I think 6500W (need to verify). So, I am thinking it would be safe to be able to add 2 new panels (maybe 365w each), face them West or SouthWest and not cause any problems with my system. The output I think would decrease on the 36 panels as the 2 panels would be increasing around 4pm until dark, so I think the output is going to "balance" somewhat and not be just adding more total power. I'm aiming for longer lasting power , not more power.