Informal testing: Qcell vs Renogy

[nullinterface]

Hi. New here.

I've got a couple Bluetti stations. Took one look at the astronomical price that they want for their portable panels and opted to source cheaper rigid panels for emergency usage at the house:

• Originally sourced a pair of rigid 100W Renogy RNG-100D-SS panels (~$75 on the 'zon when bought in pairs)
• More recently I was made aware of a local supplier, Beene Brothers, and secured a 315W Qcell
  Since the product link is apt not to last forever...
  • $69.30
  • 40.29/33.46 Voc/Vmp
  • 9.89/9.41 Isc/Imp

Naturally, a comparison was in order. Angling the panels as best I could towards late morning sun on a mostly clear day with zero shading - and within a few minutes of one another - I saw the following peak values on the power station's display:

• Renogy (2x in series) : 170W (85% yield)
• Qcell : 237W (75% yield)

While the lower yield is disappointing, the discounted $/watt is still highly advantageous.

And yes, this wasn't the most vigorous comparison.

 

[42OhmsPA]

Does the Q Cell exceed any of the specs for the MPPT and was the battery low / load high?

That's a good price for new Q Cells.
I started with 18 of the the same panel except mine were used. They still perform at rating under ideal conditions.

I also have a pair of some 100W Renogy from my very first system, I can't remember what they output but I don't remember having any complaints.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[nullinterface]

Does the Q Cell exceed any of the specs for the MPPT and was the battery low / load high?

That's a good price for new Q Cells.
I started with 18 of the the same panel except mine were used. They still perform at rating under ideal conditions.

I also have a pair of some 100W Renogy from my very first system, I can't remember what they output but I don't remember having any complaints.

Welcome to the forum.

It's an AC180. Manual is a bit sparse on details:

Interface	DC7909
Power	500W/10A Max
Voltage	12V-60VDC

... all well below open/short circuit ratings for the Q Cell panel.

Battery started at ~78% when I was charging. Test duration was short. It's entirely possible there were some sunlight fluctuations during the test as there were some wisps of high-elevation cloud and it was a touch humid.

 

[nullinterface]

Another informal test, slightly better results with the same 10-point spread on yield.

• Conditions
  • Clear day, ~noon
  • Panels pointed south, tilted to about 6:12 pitch using scrap wood
  • Noted high/low after input stabilized, used average for yields
• Bluetti AC180 used for measurements
  • Beginning SoC 55%
  • Set charge mode to 'Turbo' for testing
• Panels
  • QCell (315W) : 250-260W; 255W average; ~81% yield
  • Renogy (2x 100W) : 180-185W; 182W average; ~91% yield

The AC180 has not been charging consistently on AC power when discharged to this degree - surging (briefly) to max input then throttling down - thus it could be a limiting factor on power input. That caveat aside I'm satisfied with the >90% yield on the Renogy panels.