EG4 3000 watt 48volt

[OffGridMaine]

Hello everyone, I'm new to solar. Some background, I'm adding solar to our "camp", I have limited space for panels (south facing) the EG4 has PV limits of 500 volts and 18 amps. I don't really have enough room for a row of panels in series, but I can do 2 rows of panels about 50 feet apart from each other. my question is can the panels still be in series this far apart? if I do a 2s2p then my amps would be over the 18 amps, (26a with the panels i have). is the 18 amps a hard stop like the 500 volts? or does it mean it can utilize 18 amp and ignore the rest?
thank you for any information.

 

[Mattb4]

Although easier to connect when side by side there is nothing stopping you from spreading out a series string that has the same angle and orientation (facing W, S or E). You would need to add a PV extension wire. I do it for several arrays and it works just fine. The reason to not exceed the 18A limit is not based on damaging your SCC as much as it is a limit to whether you are utilizing the available solar power. Anything over 18A is simply not drawn from the panels.

 

[OffGridMaine]

Although easier to connect when side by side there is nothing stopping you from spreading out a series string that has the same angle and orientation (facing W, S or E). You would need to add a PV extension wire. I do it for several arrays and it works just fine. The reason to not exceed the 18A limit is not based on damaging your SCC as much as it is a limit to whether you are utilizing the available solar power. Anything over 18A is simply not drawn from the panels.

Thank you, i wasnt sure if the extra length of wire would matter in overall current loss.

 

[EG4TechSolutionsTeam]

Hello everyone, I'm new to solar. Some background, I'm adding solar to our "camp", I have limited space for panels (south facing) the EG4 has PV limits of 500 volts and 18 amps. I don't really have enough room for a row of panels in series, but I can do 2 rows of panels about 50 feet apart from each other. my question is can the panels still be in series this far apart? if I do a 2s2p then my amps would be over the 18 amps, (26a with the panels i have). is the 18 amps a hard stop like the 500 volts? or does it mean it can utilize 18 amp and ignore the rest?
thank you for any information.

The system will only draw up to 18A, it is highly recommended to stay below 18A, as exceeding this limit could potentially damage the unit.

 

[42OhmsPA]

Welcome to the forum.

Hello everyone, I'm new to solar. Some background, I'm adding solar to our "camp", I have limited space for panels (south facing) the EG4 has PV limits of 500 volts and 18 amps. I don't really have enough room for a row of panels in series, but I can do 2 rows of panels about 50 feet apart from each other. my question is can the panels still be in series this far apart? if I do a 2s2p then my amps would be over the 18 amps, (26a with the panels i have). is the 18 amps a hard stop like the 500 volts? or does it mean it can utilize 18 amp and ignore the rest?
thank you for any information.

I would pay close attention to the minimum operating VOC spec. I highly doubt 2S strings will be enough for the MPPT to function.

The system will only draw up to 18A, it is highly recommended to stay below 18A, as exceeding this limit could potentially damage the unit.

How, potentially?

 

[OffGridMaine]

Welcome to the forum.

I would pay close attention to the minimum operating VOC spec. I highly doubt 2S strings will be enough for the MPPT to function.


How, potentially?

Welcome to the forum.

I would pay close attention to the minimum operating VOC spec. I highly doubt 2S strings will be enough for the MPPT to function.


How, potentially?

Welcome to the forum.

I would pay close attention to the minimum operating VOC spec. I highly doubt 2S strings will be enough for the MPPT to function.


How, potentially?

So here’s is a novice question, when deciding which panels to buy which is more important going to the inverter? amount of watts, or VOC?

 

[42OhmsPA]

So here’s is a novice question, when deciding which panels to buy which is more important going to the inverter? amount of watts, or VOC?

I would say VOC is the most important but watts is also important to make sure you can achieve your power goals.


Make sure you calculate your max VOC based on cold temperature coefficient, especially being up north.

 

[Mattb4]

So here’s is a novice question, when deciding which panels to buy which is more important going to the inverter? amount of watts, or VOC?

Pay attention to all the specs for every component. This is not only panels, the potential wattage and AIO, this includes wires, fuses, connectors, max battery charging amperage, and most important of all your loading needs. Any one of which if ignored can lead to a poorly performing setup.

Yes, there is a lot to think about.