Dinobot248
New Member
I’m trying to add some solar panels to my new Victron Smart Charge Controller 150 / 45 and connect it to my existing 48v off grid system (EG4 6500EX, 6 Lifepower4 batteries and 10k PV (yes its over paneled but still under max VOC). With my current setup and shade / trees, on an excellent winter day, I get 8kwh and a bad day I may get 0.5 kwh. My best summer day was around 20kwh.
Long term, I will eventually acquire and switch out to Victron. Right now I want to make sure that I am properly understanding how many PV panels I can connect to the Victron SCC 150 / 45.
I have 170w TopSolar PV
VOC = 24.26 V
VMP = 20.41 V
ISC = 8.83 A
IMP = 8.33 A
In the Victron manual, it has
Max PV open circuit (VOC) = 150 V
Max short circuit (ISC) = 50A
Nominal power = 2600 W
To be safe, I wanted to start off with 4 parallel sets of 5 panels in series. I prefer sets of 6 since my DIY ground mount holds 12 panels. For now, I will use 5 for calculations.
5 x 24.26voc = 125v. This is well under the max VOC of 150 V
Theoretical max operating current 4 x 8.33 = 34 A. This is under the 50 A
Theoretical max power 20 x 170w = 34000w.
This is above the max 2600w. For my area, actual best winter rate is 0.8 solar hour and summer rate is 2 solar hours for the entire day. I am not as concerned and I think the SCC will limit the power if there is a miracle that I can come close to getting 75% of my rated PV power.
Questions / Comments
Link to Manual
Thanks in advance
Long term, I will eventually acquire and switch out to Victron. Right now I want to make sure that I am properly understanding how many PV panels I can connect to the Victron SCC 150 / 45.
I have 170w TopSolar PV
VOC = 24.26 V
VMP = 20.41 V
ISC = 8.83 A
IMP = 8.33 A
In the Victron manual, it has
Max PV open circuit (VOC) = 150 V
Max short circuit (ISC) = 50A
Nominal power = 2600 W
To be safe, I wanted to start off with 4 parallel sets of 5 panels in series. I prefer sets of 6 since my DIY ground mount holds 12 panels. For now, I will use 5 for calculations.
5 x 24.26voc = 125v. This is well under the max VOC of 150 V
Theoretical max operating current 4 x 8.33 = 34 A. This is under the 50 A
Theoretical max power 20 x 170w = 34000w.
This is above the max 2600w. For my area, actual best winter rate is 0.8 solar hour and summer rate is 2 solar hours for the entire day. I am not as concerned and I think the SCC will limit the power if there is a miracle that I can come close to getting 75% of my rated PV power.
Questions / Comments
- Please check my work and provide feedback.
- Can I use 6 panels (VOC = 146 V = 6 x 24.26 V) and still be safe and under the max 150 VOC limit? I know there are some variances. In winter time, one of my PV array is 12 panels (12 x 24.26 = 291 voc) in series and per Solar Assistant, has been less than 250v for the past 21 winter days.
Link to Manual
Thanks in advance
