What lessons have you learned working with solar?

[robbob2112]

I guess my only real mistake was acquiring my panels first, but these were had really cheaply. Mine were culls from a large solar farm that i figured out how to repair, so we went and got the whole stack. I got 30 out of 40 working again.

This forum is a treasure trove if you just search and take time to read old topics. Doing that will spare you a lot of mistakes. I've also noticed if you study well, to not ask a question that has been asked 87 times already, the more experienced will chime in to aid you.

I will mention my other mistake...a 48v bank of 12v LFP batteries, but i don't care. It was a cheap way for me to get into my first 48v storage.

What was the primary fault with the culls you aquired?

 

[Flunkyboi]

What was the primary fault with the culls you aquired?

Bad bypass diodes. Once I figured out what they were and do, I ripped them all out. In my application, shading is no issue, so they were not necessary.

I'm guessing the panels suffered a spike from lightning. Most half fell out digging the potting goop out. Each bad one also discolored the potting goop, so that was the first clue.

 

[JJJJ]

The moment you get your panels on line, you find yourself waking up in the wee hours of the morning, trying to figure out how to install more.

 

[Flunkyboi]

For

The moment you get your panels on line, you find yourself waking up in the wee hours of the morning, trying to figure out how to install more.

For me, it's Jonesing for battery. My gateway drug was this little 5kwh bank.

 

[teal95]

Why not both?