Request a second opinion - too many clouds - plan "B"

[pvdude]

First solar system I installed has been running fine now for a couple of months.
Thanks to all the advice and tips, links, provided by this exceptional forum!

Site planning was done so as to avoid shade on the PV array during peak insolation times throughout the year.
(Had to cut down 3 trees)

What I never expected was the power loss from all the Summer clouds!
Considered installing very large fans to blow the clouds away, not cost effective

The original design did not anticipate the cloud losses.
Adding more PV panels seems to be the only way to compensate, unless you folks have a better idea!

Currently have 16 PV panels providing about 5800 watts, when the sky is clear.
Charge controller has the following specifications, and I have seen it put 95A @ 53vdc into the batteries,
so the CC seems well matched to the PV array.

Max PV array open circuit voltage 600 V
MPPT voltage range 195 to 510 VDC
PV array operating voltage 195 to 550 V
Max. array short circuit current at STC 35 A
Max. input operating current 29 A
Max. output power 6000 W (nominal 48 V systems)
Nominal battery voltage 24 and 48 VDC
Battery voltage operating range 16 to 67 VDC
Max. output charge current 100 A

The PV panels VOC is 44vdc. Impp is 9.85A.
I have two strings of 8S, peak voltage is about 355.
So if I change from 8S to 11s on each string, peak voltage should be about 484.
Hoping the extra PV panels will compensate for some losses, under cloudy conditions.

Not sure if there is going to be a problem w/ excess PV output under full insolation?
Guessing the CC will just use whatever it needs, and shunt the excess.

Am I on the right path here?

 

[drewjet]

Clouds suck. I am in the same boat. Need more panels.

 

[anadiner]

First solar system I installed has been running fine now for a couple of months.
Thanks to all the advice and tips, links, provided by this exceptional forum!

Site planning was done so as to avoid shade on the PV array during peak insolation times throughout the year.
(Had to cut down 3 trees)

What I never expected was the power loss from all the Summer clouds!
Considered installing very large fans to blow the clouds away, not cost effective

The original design did not anticipate the cloud losses.
Adding more PV panels seems to be the only way to compensate, unless you folks have a better idea!

Currently have 16 PV panels providing about 5800 watts, when the sky is clear.
Charge controller has the following specifications, and I have seen it put 95A @ 53vdc into the batteries,
so the CC seems well matched to the PV array.

Max PV array open circuit voltage 600 V
MPPT voltage range 195 to 510 VDC
PV array operating voltage 195 to 550 V
Max. array short circuit current at STC 35 A
Max. input operating current 29 A
Max. output power 6000 W (nominal 48 V systems)
Nominal battery voltage 24 and 48 VDC
Battery voltage operating range 16 to 67 VDC
Max. output charge current 100 A

The PV panels VOC is 44vdc. Impp is 9.85A.
I have two strings of 8S, peak voltage is about 355.
So if I change from 8S to 11s on each string, peak voltage should be about 484.
Hoping the extra PV panels will compensate for some losses, under cloudy conditions.

Not sure if there is going to be a problem w/ excess PV output under full insolation?
Guessing the CC will just use whatever it needs, and shunt the excess.

Am I on the right path here?

Yes ur on the right track - thought about large fans to blow clouds away - haha. Got a kick outa that. Dont think a large wind turbine would accomplish that either. LOL

U think like I do btw... add panels to compensate. Although, admit only glanced ur specs.

All else fails:
1) dc breaker box connecting additional array
2) and yes serious -> saw this big welded frame a guy had panels mounted on. He drove it around yard for best sun position. Too much work for me but super cool idea