I can just fit 5 200W Rich Solar panels on the roof of my van. Would it be better to fit 2 100W+4 200W panels so that I can serialize and reduce amperage? Is a 100/40 charge controller enough either way or do I need headroom in the controller for safety/efficiency?
Prime number issue
- Thread starter jcbarr23
- Start date
Victron has a calculator you can use to figure this out.
If you want to install panels that are not the same, you must do the math on the panels - there may be a large penalty or a small or none.
I am assuming you were asking about putting two 100w panels in parallel and then putting those in series with the other four 200w. Another option is to run two Solar charge controllers- one for the 200w and one for the 100w.
To do the math you needs the specs on all the panels.
For this you use the smaller numbers in the specs- Vmp and Imp.
For series you add the voltage and use the smaller of the amps.
For parallel you add amps and use the smaller of the volts.
Also make sure you run the volts calculation again using the Voc then run the temperature compensation calculation and make sure you don’t over volt the SCC (and blow up the SCC one cold winter morning).
I did something similar- here is a thread of my project.
diysolarforum.com
Good Luck
I am assuming you were asking about putting two 100w panels in parallel and then putting those in series with the other four 200w. Another option is to run two Solar charge controllers- one for the 200w and one for the 100w.
To do the math you needs the specs on all the panels.
For this you use the smaller numbers in the specs- Vmp and Imp.
For series you add the voltage and use the smaller of the amps.
For parallel you add amps and use the smaller of the volts.
Also make sure you run the volts calculation again using the Voc then run the temperature compensation calculation and make sure you don’t over volt the SCC (and blow up the SCC one cold winter morning).
I did something similar- here is a thread of my project.
Different Additional Solar Panel - check my math
Hello everyone, I want to add one more solar panel to an array on my MotorHome. The problem is the panels I used have been discontinued and are no longer available. Currently I have two Hightec 210w panels in series: Vmp 22.4v Impp 9.3a Voc 24.9v Isc 9.85a The closest panel match I can find...
diysolarforum.com
Good Luck
42OhmsPA
What's in a title?
Did you consider looking for used residential panels in your area?
Could likely save money and make more power...
Could likely save money and make more power...
Dimensions don't work for van roof. Max length really needs to be in the 60 inch range to fit across and maximize the space
Similar threads
