efficientPV
Solar Addict
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2019
- Messages
- 1,444
Higher voltage is your friend. You don't want to loose power just getting to the element. Avoid high heat densities which will damage the element. Remember, when your self regulating temp kicks in you will loose power from the panels. Matching panels to the heater resistance is important. Depending on typical local weather, increasing resistance above ideal can result in more power on the days you need it. Panels are current sources. In direct connect when a panels current drops to half its maximum rating, the power drops to only 1/4. That may be a typical day. Solar calculators can give you a potential daily output. Drop that to 1/2 for direct connect. Get real data before you actually commit to a resistance. Switching in multiple elements is a much better way to go.