Optimal Panel Configuration

[Mike6622]

What would be the optimal setup for 30 Canadian Solar 400W Mono-crystalline Panels (CS6R-400MS-HL) feeding an 18KPV Inverter/Charger? I was thinking 3 strings of 10 panels each. Too simple? Am I missing something?



Panel Details:

Nominal Max. Power (Pmax) 400W

Opt. Operating Voltage (Vmp) 30.8 V

Opt. Operating Current (Imp) 12.99 A

Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 36.8 V

Short Circuit Current (Isc) 13.85 A



Inverter Details:

Number of MPPTs 3

Inputs per MPPT 2/1/1

Max. Usable Input Current 25/15/15A

Max. Short Circuit Input Current 31/19/19A

DC Input Voltage Range 100–600 VDC

Unit Startup Voltage 100 VDC

Load Output Minimum Voltage >140 VDC

MPP Operating Voltage Range 120–500 VDC

Full Power MPPT Voltage Range 230–500 VDC

Nominal MPPT Voltage 360 VDC

Maximum Utilized Solar Power 18kW

Recommended Maximum Solar Input 21kW

 

[sunshine_eggo]

One string per MPPT. The 15A input limit on MPPT 2 and 3 mean you will waste almost everything in a second parallel string.

You could technically do 10S2P on MPPT1, but you'd still be looking at a wee bit of peak clipping.

 

[MisterSandals]

One string per MPPT. The 15A input limit on MPPT 2 and 3 mean you will waste almost everything in a second parallel string.

You could technically do 10S2P on MPPT1, but you'd still be looking at a wee bit of peak clipping.

I think he was doing 10S for each of the 3 MPPTs. Panel Imp = 12.99A, i don't see any waste from "paralleling".

OPs plan looks good to me. Am i missing something?

 

[millsan1]

I'd do 3 strings of 10 in a heartbeat. On my 18, I've got 2 strings of 9 into mppt1 and one string of 7 into 2 and 3

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I think he was doing 10S for each of the 3 MPPTs. Panel Imp = 12.99A, i don't see any waste from "paralleling".

OPs plan looks good to me. Am i missing something?

I was thinking 3 strings of 10 panels each. Too simple? Am I missing something?

I didn't see any reference to MPPT. Simply three strings with 10 panels in each. I was being more specific.

 

[Mike6622]

One string per MPPT was what I was thinking. Thank you all for your input!