Solar panels

[glennjr1]

What solar panels may be equivalent to Rich Solar 12V mega 200-Watt panels? Anyone know?

 

[BryceFreeman]

Solar panel is a mature industry now so any company with good reputation will have the similar 200w panel. What specifically does the equivalent mean? Pricing, size, efficiency or parameters?

 

[MichaelK]

With a good MPPT controller, you don't really need to pay attention to panel specifications as much as you do with an older PWM controller. You'll get more bang for your buck with larger residential grid-tie style panels. Typically, two large residential panels can be wired in series to cut copper wire costs, and then the MPPT controller will transform the raw high-voltage solar down to what your battery wants.

Give use your system specs, and we can help you design an excellent performing system for maybe just 200-300 extra dollars.

 

[glennjr1]

Sorry for the large file, but it's the only way I was able to get them.

Models*: FLEXmax 80 (FM80 to 150VDC) FLEXmax 60 (FM60 to 150VDC) Nominal Battery Voltages: 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60VDC (Single model, selectable via field programming at start-up) 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60VDC (Single model, selectable via field programming at start-up) Maximum Output Current: 80A @ 104°F (40°C) with adjustable current limit 60A @ 104°F (40°C) with adjustable current limit NEC Recommended Solar Maximum Array STC Nameplate: 12VDC systems: 1000W / 24VDC systems: 2000W 48VDC systems: 4000W / 60VDC systems: 5000W 12VDC systems: 750W / 24VDC systems: 1500W 48VDC systems: 3000W / 60VDC systems: 3750W PV Open Circuit Voltage (VOC): 150VDC absolute maximum coldest conditions / 145VDC start-up and operating maximum 150VDC absolute maximum coldest conditions / 145VDC start-up and operating maximum Standby Power Consumption: Less than 1W typical Less than 1W typical Power Conversion Efficiency: 97.5% @ 80ADC in a 48VDC system (typical) 98.1% @ 60ADC in a 48VDC system (typical) Peak Efficiency: 60VDC input w/48V battery at 53.1VDC (98.44%) 68VDC input w/48V battery at 52.8VDC (98.31%) CEC Weighted Efficiency: 97.3% (at 48VDC) 97.3% (at 48VDC) Charging Regulation: Bulk, absorption, float, silent and equalization Bulk, absorption, float, silent and equalization Voltage Regulation Set Points: 13 to 80VDC user adjustable with password protection 13 to 80VDC user adjustable with password protection Equalization Charging: Programmable voltage setpoint and duration, automatic termination when completed Programmable voltage setpoint and duration, automatic termination when completed Battery Temperature Compensation: Automatic with optional RTS installed / 5.0mV per °C per 2V battery cell Automatic with optional RTS installed / 5.0mV per °C per 2V battery cell Voltage Step-Down Capability: Down convert from any acceptable array voltage to any battery voltage. Example: 72VDC array to 24VDC battery; 60VDC array to 48VDC battery Programmable Auxiliary Control Output: 12VDC output signal which can be programmed for different control applications (maximum of 0.2ADC) 12VDC output signal which can be programmed for different control applications (maximum of 0.2ADC) Status Display: 3.1in (8cm) backlit LCD screen, 4 lines with 80 alphanumeric characters total 3.1in (8cm) backlit LCD screen, 4 lines with 80 alphanumeric characters total Remote Display and Controller: Optional MATE3s, MATE or MATE2 Optional MATE3s, MATE or MATE2 Network Cabling: Proprietary network system using RJ-45 modular connectors with CAT5 cable (8 wires) Proprietary network system using RJ-45 modular connectors with CAT5 cable (8 wires) Data Logging: Last 128 days of operation: amp-hours, watt-hours, time in float, peak watts, amps, solar array voltage, maximum battery voltage, minimum battery voltage and absorb time, accumulated amp-hours, and kWh of production Operating Temperature Range: –40 to 60°C (power automatically derated above 40°C) –40 to 60°C (power automatically derated above 40°C) Environmental Rating: Indoor Type 1 Indoor Type 1 Conduit Knockouts: One 1in (25.4mm) on the back; One 1in (25.4mm) on the left side; Two 1in (25.4mm) on the bottom One 1in (25.4mm) on the back; One 1in (25.4mm) on the left side; Two 1in (25.4mm) on the bottom Warranty: Standard 5 year, extended 10 year available Standard 5 year, extended 10 year available Weight (lb/kg): Unit: 12.20 / 5.53 Shipping: 15.5 / 7 Unit: 11.65 / 5.3 Shipping: 14.9 / 6.8 Dimensions H x W x D (in/cm): Unit: 16.25 × 5.75 × 4.5 / 41.3 × 14.6 × 11.4 Shipping: 19 × 9.5 × 8.5 / 48.3 × 24.1 × 21.6 Unit: 13.75 × 5.75 × 4.5 / 35 × 14.6 × 11.4 Shipping: 17 × 9.5 × 8.5 / 43.2 × 24.1 × 21.6 Options: Remote Temperature Sensor (RTS), HUB4, HUB10.3, MATE, MATE2, MATE3s Remote Temperature Sensor (RTS), HUB4, HUB10.3, MATE, M



Inverter charger is a Sungold 4000-watt pure sine wave.

 

[glennjr1]

Solar panel is a mature industry now so any company with good reputation will have the similar 200w panel. What specifically does the equivalent mean? Pricing, size, efficiency or parameters?

parameters. output etc.

 

[MichaelK]

OK, you have a very nice MPPT controller. What that means is you really don't need to focus much attention on matching the Rich Solar panels, you only need to match voltages. With your 150V limit controller, most likely you can safely wire 4-5 of those panels in series for a Vmp of 100-120V. In your cold winter climate though, you might not want to go past 4 in series, depending on what the winter lows at your location are.

Let's say for example you have three of those panels and you wire them in series to get a Vmp of ~61V. You could add a second parallel string of two larger high-voltage 60-cell residential panels putting out 8.3A at ~30.0-30.5V. So, string #1 would maximally put out ~9.8A at ~60Vmp, and the second string of two 60-cell panels in series would also be ~60V.

Why would you want to do this? Well, each one of those Rich Solar panels is selling retail for ~197$. Just a month ago, while shopping on Craigslist, I picked up some 60-cell panels for 40$ each. Bought four of them. So, I got 1000W of panels for less money then just 400W of the panels you want to match.

Shop on Craigslist in your local area, and see what kinds of cash and carry deals you can get around there. Doing a quicky search, this is what I found in Buffalo.

320W Solar Panels Canadian Solar Mono-crystalline - electronics - by owner - sale - craigslist

Brand New 320W Canadian Solar Panels 14 Available, $230 each or $3000 for all 14. These are brand new, not remanufactured or defect / blemished panels Wattage: 320W VOC: 40.1V ISC: 10.14 A Cell...

buffalo.craigslist.org

 

[glennjr1]

OK, you have a very nice MPPT controller. What that means is you really don't need to focus much attention on matching the Rich Solar panels, you only need to match voltages. With your 150V limit controller, most likely you can safely wire 4-5 of those panels in series for a Vmp of 100-120V. In your cold winter climate though, you might not want to go past 4 in series, depending on what the winter lows at your location are.

Let's say for example you have three of those panels and you wire them in series to get a Vmp of ~61V. You could add a second parallel string of two larger high-voltage 60-cell residential panels putting out 8.3A at ~30.0-30.5V. So, string #1 would maximally put out ~9.8A at ~60Vmp, and the second string of two 60-cell panels in series would also be ~60V.

Why would you want to do this? Well, each one of those Rich Solar panels is selling retail for ~197$. Just a month ago, while shopping on Craigslist, I picked up some 60-cell panels for 40$ each. Bought four of them. So, I got 1000W of panels for less money then just 400W of the panels you want to match.

Shop on Craigslist in your local area, and see what kinds of cash and carry deals you can get around there. Doing a quicky search, this is what I found in Buffalo.

320W Solar Panels Canadian Solar Mono-crystalline - electronics - by owner - sale - craigslist

Brand New 320W Canadian Solar Panels 14 Available, $230 each or $3000 for all 14. These are brand new, not remanufactured or defect / blemished panels Wattage: 320W VOC: 40.1V ISC: 10.14 A Cell...

buffalo.craigslist.org

Michael,
Thanks for the information. The winter lows could get a few degrees below zero very few times, generally runs upper teens and above. I'll do some shopping around. If I run the separate parallel string you are referring to would I need a second charge controller or can you sue a combiner to combine the second string? >)

 

[Hogheavenfarm]

Combiner would be fine, but they may have limits on the string amperage, but with those panels you should be fine, keep any string under 30 amps for most. Wont affect serial connections, but parallel would add amps together.