Upsizing Solar PV system
Submitted: Friday, Oct 24, 2014 at 01:58
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Member - DrRob
We have a dual battery system in our Landcruiser Troopy camper, powered by Solar PV. We originally bought an 80W (4x20W) mono crystalline system, but this was not enough for our fridge and computer charging when we were in Tassie last year.
We expanded this with a 40W semi-flexible panel (bought over the internet), and this gave us enough charge most of the time, depending on clouds and shade. After almost 1 year, the 40W panel died, and there was no response to our emails about this from LenSun HK.
So now, we need to upsize the system once again. I have seen articles and comments that additional panels need to be 'compatible'. I am also thinking about where to store the extra panel/s...
My questions:
- What is 'compatible'? My current mono crystalline panels each output ~20V and 1A = 20W. Should any new panels also output ~20V? Should they be mono crystalline? Can I incorporate the new fully-flexible panels onto the same charge controller?
- What are your experiences with the semi-flexible panels? They take up less space, but how reliable are they?
- Where is a good place to buy 20W or 40W panels?
Happy travelling
Rob
Reply By: The Bantam - Friday, Oct 24, 2014 at 12:12
Friday, Oct 24, 2014 at 12:12
Consider that the solar technology is still moving forward at a fair pace.
If you buy now and you buy current technology product, it may pack more power in the same space and may be more efficient.
SO
you may be better off doing your homework and buying alll new pannels and selling the ones you have.
This way you know that you have pannels all the same and are compatable and best efficiency.
On the matter of the 20 volt pannel.
There was an ebay seller that was actually selling 24 volt pannels( there where heaps arround when the subsidy dropped) as 12 volt pannels and either knobling them or recomending a strapping arrangement that was less that workman like.....this pretty
well resulted in a section of the pannel doing nothing and the voltage still bing not quite right for a 12 volt system.
The other thing is cabling....significant improvements in efficiency can be had by cabling your system in heavy enough cable and putting the regulator close to the batteries..
cheers
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