Possible to use new MC4 panels with old inverter.

Hi,

started lurking and hopefully learning recently, I bought some old BP Solar 170W panels and a Sunny Boy Inverter from Craigslist to play around with and start learning, they were pretty cheap (I think) so seems worth the experience.

I've started looking for newer more powerful panels and came across some 370W REC N-Peak 2 Black Series ones, does anyone know if they'd work with the Sunny Boy 1800U Inverter?


I know it's ancient, but it works and at this point this is more of an experiment to see what could be done on a low budget.
thanks

yep, it will work.

Thanks!

Looks like PNM disagree
or at least in terms of hooking it up to the grid.


Pursuant to 17.9.568.11 NMAC and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission's Order Regarding Joint Status Report issued in the 23-00203-UT docket on December 14, 2023, is effective March 29, 2024, all applications for interconnection must specify advanced inverters compliant with IEEE 1547-2018 including proposed updates to existing systems.

Utility will require UL-1741-SB or similar for backfeed.
The older inverters are only UL-1741.

If loads always exceed PV output, they will never notice.
e.g. if you connect after the thermostat relay and motor thermal overload switch of your A/C, Sunny Boy will start operating 5 minutes after compressor is turned on, and disconnect the moment it turns off.

If you ever backfeed, utility will pay you a visit.

You could also put the Sunny Boy behind a Sunny Island configured to not allow backfeed.

Thanks,
looks like PNM are also requiring 1547-2018 for new connections