twinpartners
The grass is always greener on the other side
Would really like to have some honest educated opinions on how to correctly chose the correct solar panels for my build. Not necessarily a discussion over best brands, but more of a "how to calculate the correct panels (crunching numbers) discussion". My inverter allows for 2 PV inputs, 11000 watt maximum input, 22A max current, 500Vdc max voltage open circuit and 120-425Vdc MPPT voltage range.
It has a max DC charging current of 200 A, but I will only ever use about 100 A max due to my battery setup.
Have all of my energy calculated and a rate analysis/usage done by Florida Power and Light. Everything that could be moved to evening hours has been done (TOU). My batteries will have enough power to get me through the night and my 11,000 watt inverter at 20,000 watt peak power has been able to easily handle my loads (ACs are on soft starts, range/water heat is gas, public water (no well) and the only thing that has even come close was the dryer at 8500W that levels off at around 3000W once running). Dryer with AC together at the same time didn't not cause any fits on the inverter either. Most of the time the inverter was between 8 - 20 Amps and between 800 - 2k watts until an AC kicked on and it would hit 6k and 50 amps for a few seconds. Watched it for 5 days jotting down numbers, so I saw everyting I needed to see.
With that being said, I'd "like" to have 11,000 watts'ish worth of panels on 2 strings to feed the inverter with during the day (max it out, because why not). Have picked out a piece of the yard that has sun for, currently, about 12 hours a day and will do a ground install (or mounted about 6 - 8 feet above ground). Its going to be about 2 x 40 - 50 foot runs (2 strings) from the panels to the inverter in the garage. Is 11,000 the max I should go with, or can I safely go above that since the likelyhood of 100% per panel will never happen? Yes, have Googled the crap out of it, but would rather hear from you guys with the real experience as to what the correct Pmax/panel, VOC, PV current etc. I need to be looking for when calculating to get the right numbers to jive with my inverter.
Thx to all for you replies! Take it easy on me...I'm an extremely skilled DIY'er, but would rather you all's input than trying to figure it out on my own. Would like some help for "Phase II" planning.
It has a max DC charging current of 200 A, but I will only ever use about 100 A max due to my battery setup.
Have all of my energy calculated and a rate analysis/usage done by Florida Power and Light. Everything that could be moved to evening hours has been done (TOU). My batteries will have enough power to get me through the night and my 11,000 watt inverter at 20,000 watt peak power has been able to easily handle my loads (ACs are on soft starts, range/water heat is gas, public water (no well) and the only thing that has even come close was the dryer at 8500W that levels off at around 3000W once running). Dryer with AC together at the same time didn't not cause any fits on the inverter either. Most of the time the inverter was between 8 - 20 Amps and between 800 - 2k watts until an AC kicked on and it would hit 6k and 50 amps for a few seconds. Watched it for 5 days jotting down numbers, so I saw everyting I needed to see.
With that being said, I'd "like" to have 11,000 watts'ish worth of panels on 2 strings to feed the inverter with during the day (max it out, because why not). Have picked out a piece of the yard that has sun for, currently, about 12 hours a day and will do a ground install (or mounted about 6 - 8 feet above ground). Its going to be about 2 x 40 - 50 foot runs (2 strings) from the panels to the inverter in the garage. Is 11,000 the max I should go with, or can I safely go above that since the likelyhood of 100% per panel will never happen? Yes, have Googled the crap out of it, but would rather hear from you guys with the real experience as to what the correct Pmax/panel, VOC, PV current etc. I need to be looking for when calculating to get the right numbers to jive with my inverter.
Thx to all for you replies! Take it easy on me...I'm an extremely skilled DIY'er, but would rather you all's input than trying to figure it out on my own. Would like some help for "Phase II" planning.
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