Small scale solar setup for a beginner

[ShirBlackspots]

I am slowly setting up a small scale solar system. I built (that I still need to finish putting on the tin strips) a 13S10P battery using BAK 5000mAh 5A continuous, 15A max batteries, bought mostly from https://liionwholesale.com/ - That was $727 just in batteries (because I bought them over 2 years)

I bought the following BMS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW5Q8HZ4 - 100 Balance 60A Active Balance BMS for $76+tax (I'll likely get a JK BMS if this one doesn't work well)
I bought the following Inverter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082XTMKKB - A 2500W Reliable Electric Pure Sine Wave Inverter for $274 + tax (Texas)
I bought the following MPPT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KF94CJH - Victron 150V/45A MPPT for $218 + tax
Also bought the Victron VE.Direct to USB cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ6WTLW for $28 + tax

So, far I've spent about $1470 to get this far.

I would like at least 8 of these panels or similar Jinko 385W Solar Panel 144 Cells JKM385M-72HBL-V (if not available by the time I have money to buy them), which will cost $1050

With the 150V/45A MPPT, the panels would be set up in a 2S4P setup.

My eventual full scale solar panel system I want would have all Victron equipment, at least 8kW of solar, 32kWh of battery (Gobel power DIY kits, probably) and 24kW of inverters. An additional 12-14, 385W panels similar to the panels I would buy for the initial system

For example, the full system I would want, bought from Current Connected would be the following:
10kVA 120/240V Residential Off-Grid Power System - $5073
Victron MPPT RS 450V/100A SmartSolar Charge Controller - $1231 -- These can handle 7.2kW of solar on each tracker, for a total of 14.4kW
Victron 48V MultiPlus-II 5kVA 120V Inverter - $1711 -- two additional ones, for a total of 20kW of power
(Total of $11,250 from Current Connected)

An additional 14 of the Jinko 385W panels (if still available, in 7S2P config), with the option on adding another panels to the other tracker, which would cost $1840

From Apexium (for a total of 32kWh of battery power) shipped directly from China ($3600)
Apexium Stackable 48V DIY 280/304 kits with 200A JK BMS - $429.99 each, 2 total (these are $660 each for US stock)
EVE 280Ah LiFePO4 EV grade cells - $59.99 each, 32 total (these are $90 each for US stock)
and I would want two (it includes a 200A JK Inverter type BMS, which can communicate with Victron equipment)
One would cost $1390 + $400 for shipping and fees, so $1790 (vs $2100 for US stock)

This full sized system would cost me around $18,000

 

[Brucey]

Victron MPPT RS 450V/100A SmartSolar Charge Controller - $1231 -- These can handle 7.2kW of solar on each tracker, for a total of 14.4kW

Just be aware there's a per tracker (2 on the 450/100) output limit of 4000W and 5700W overall output (100Ax57V).

But you can always use your 150/45 for additional charger output.

 

[ShirBlackspots]

Just be aware there's a per tracker (2 on the 450/100) output limit of 4000W and 5700W overall output (100Ax57V).

But you can always use your 150/45 for additional charger output.

Hmmm... the MPPT150/45 has a maximum 2600W output (at the maximum 57.6V x 45A), so up to 9300W of charging (145A) should be good enough, even on a 200A BMS.

If I am understanding https://www.victronenergy.com/mppt-calculator The calculation is per tracker, the 450/100 can handle a maximum of 7200W per tracker, the solar panels I am looking at (Jinko 385W) would be about 5400W per tracker (7S2P). Two trackers would be 10,800W, plus the 150/45 would be an additional 3080W (2S4P), so the maximum amount of solar I could connect in this scenario would be 13.9kW of solar.

 

[Brucey]

Hmmm, ok. I should probably go with the 450/200 then? Especially since the batteries I will be using have a 200A BMS.
Yeah, the MPPT150/45 has a maximum 2600W output (at the maximum 57.6V x 45A)

Well if your ultimate goal is around 8kW of panels, then a 450/100 with 5.7kW and a 150/45 with 2600W should get you to your goal.

The 450/200 will be under panelled with just 8kW of panels, so not getting max value.

While a BMS may have a 200A rating, generally you'd want to charge at at max of 0.5C, so at 100A per battery. The amps of the SCC don't have to match the amps of the BMSs.

The other thing to keep in mind is you'll rarely reach max output of panels (maybe different in sunny Texas).

 

[ShirBlackspots]

I bought two sets of four HQST 100W panels, here I am testing four of the panels in series

I was seeing as much as 90.5V when sun was completely out

Initially, it'll be in a 4S 2P setup, but eventually will be a 4S 8P setup with 32 of these. Four panels together are slightly smaller than one 400W panel.

Below are the specs of the panel, they are $70 individually, or $279 for a set of four

Amazon.com