WoodsieLord
New Member
Hello!
I got into solar in an unusual way: I wanted to use an UPS I already owned as my inverter. So I made my first purchases based on a sellers advice trying to match my budget and my technical requirements (48V. Since my UPS runs at 48V). At this point, I was aware of some of Will's videos but joined the forum slightly later.
This is what I've bought:
4x 340W mono panels: which I arranged them in Two series of two.
48V, 40A PWM charge controller.
Later on I got a small lead acid (gel) batteries that I definitely need to upgrade. (Please note that I can't get LiFePO4 batteries in Argentina, so I would stick to SLA for now!)
So! I've got the system working some way or another almost two months ago. I had ZERO experience in solar so I'm excited, happy and I already realized that this is just the beginning. I want more solar.
Recently I've aquired two additional panels (awaiting installation) and It's been a while since I've been reading about the MPPT chargers.
Apparently they're so good that almost nobody in this forum even invest in PWM charge controllers at all. So I would like to extrapolate what kind of benefit I would get if I were to substitute my PWM controller.
Most videos on the internet explain that PWM uses parallel panels while MPPT uses serial configurations so that the array voltage is higher. I take it that the MPPT algorithms "play" with this voltage headroom to squeeze more juice. The thing that puzzles me is that in my current configuration, I bet I wouldn't need to change the panel arrangement. Open voltage is currently around 98V. Maybe it's too much for the PWM controller and is wasting power.
Wiring is already done, I already got the battery bank (48V) and the inverter, so the only element I would be swapping is the charge controller.
How can I calculate what kind of benefit would I be getting?
My PWM controller was worth u$d 118. As an unfair comparison (items in stock in my country):
...a Victron Smartsolar Mppt 100v 20a 12/24v (I know, it's not 48V) is quoted at u$d 347.
...an Xtra 4415n Mppt 150v 40a 12/24/36/48v Epever is quoted at u$d 517
Other options are chinese brands that are not even mentioned or unknown
I want to know if it is worth investing in an MPPT controller or if I should buy more panels. Usually, electronics are expensive in my country but solar panels are somehow slightly more accessible.
Thanks in advance!
I got into solar in an unusual way: I wanted to use an UPS I already owned as my inverter. So I made my first purchases based on a sellers advice trying to match my budget and my technical requirements (48V. Since my UPS runs at 48V). At this point, I was aware of some of Will's videos but joined the forum slightly later.
This is what I've bought:
4x 340W mono panels: which I arranged them in Two series of two.
48V, 40A PWM charge controller.
Later on I got a small lead acid (gel) batteries that I definitely need to upgrade. (Please note that I can't get LiFePO4 batteries in Argentina, so I would stick to SLA for now!)
So! I've got the system working some way or another almost two months ago. I had ZERO experience in solar so I'm excited, happy and I already realized that this is just the beginning. I want more solar.
Recently I've aquired two additional panels (awaiting installation) and It's been a while since I've been reading about the MPPT chargers.
Apparently they're so good that almost nobody in this forum even invest in PWM charge controllers at all. So I would like to extrapolate what kind of benefit I would get if I were to substitute my PWM controller.
Most videos on the internet explain that PWM uses parallel panels while MPPT uses serial configurations so that the array voltage is higher. I take it that the MPPT algorithms "play" with this voltage headroom to squeeze more juice. The thing that puzzles me is that in my current configuration, I bet I wouldn't need to change the panel arrangement. Open voltage is currently around 98V. Maybe it's too much for the PWM controller and is wasting power.
Wiring is already done, I already got the battery bank (48V) and the inverter, so the only element I would be swapping is the charge controller.
How can I calculate what kind of benefit would I be getting?
My PWM controller was worth u$d 118. As an unfair comparison (items in stock in my country):
...a Victron Smartsolar Mppt 100v 20a 12/24v (I know, it's not 48V) is quoted at u$d 347.
...an Xtra 4415n Mppt 150v 40a 12/24/36/48v Epever is quoted at u$d 517
Other options are chinese brands that are not even mentioned or unknown
I want to know if it is worth investing in an MPPT controller or if I should buy more panels. Usually, electronics are expensive in my country but solar panels are somehow slightly more accessible.
Thanks in advance!