PV panels located over 300M from batteries?

markaubin
markaubin Registered Users Posts: 3
I have an off-grid power system that I've been using successfully for about 6 years. 
  • 8 - 6V Rolls S-530 batteries wired in series
  • Magnum Energy MS4448PAE inverter/charger
  • Midnite Solar EPanel
  • Winco PSS8B4W propane generator
I've always imagined that I would add PV to the system, but have put it off because there isn't good sun exposure near the power shed.

If I go up the hill about 300M or so, I can get excellent sun exposure. But I don't want to move any of my gear up the hill, just the panels.

Has anybody here had this sort of situation and can you share how you solved it? I did read over all the archives looking for a similar thread and couldn't find anything that matched this very well.

I realize it is not very practical to extend DC this distance. Most likely this means the voltage needs to be AC and boosted to minimize loss.

I'm wondering if I should be considering micro-inverters to get AC at the panels?

If I boost the AC, will I then need to drop it back down, requiring transformers at both ends, and conversion back to DC for the charge controller? Is there an integrated charge controller available that can handle high AC voltages?

Thanks for any advice!

Mark

Tagged:

Comments

  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    No need for AC - you can get 600V MPPT charge controllers (eg: TriStar MPPT 600V).  How many watts are you thinking?

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    jonr said:
    No need for AC - you can get 600V MPPT charge controllers (eg: TriStar MPPT 600V).  How many watts are you thinking?
    Exactly....  That's what MPPT controllers are for.  Run HV-DC the long distance, and then step down at the batteries.
    You can get models at 150Vdc, a few companies make some 250 & 300V models, and then a couple make 600VDC models
    I used 4ga alum wire in conduit for a 900' run, alum wire is OK if you use aluminum rated connectors with it,  Much cheaper than copper, and wire does not care about AC or DC, just voltage on the insulation,
      You will have to price out the difference between 150V models and heavier wire, vs 600V and thinner wire.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • halfcrazy
    halfcrazy Solar Expert Posts: 720 ✭✭✭
    As Mike points out, Be aware when you make the leap to 600v that the breakers and disconnects get a lot more pricey and aluminum wire is cheap.

    Looking at off the shelf prices I have run many exercises and rarely is the 600v controller and smaller wire actually cheaper if you consider a code compliant install with disconnect at the array AND MPPT. I don't want to post numbers here on the Distributors website but feel free to email me and I will share some white papers off line [email protected]
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    Also note that there is the option of adding more panels to make up for wire loss.  To pick a random example, 300 meters of 12 gauge wire moving 1500 watts at 150V will have a 21% loss where 10 gauge would have 13%.  It's cheaper to add another 120 watts of panel than to upgrade the wire.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2016 #6
    halfcrazy said:
    As Mike points out, Be aware when you make the leap to 600v that the breakers and disconnects get a lot more pricey and aluminum wire is cheap.

    Looking at off the shelf prices I have run many exercises and rarely is the 600v controller and smaller wire actually cheaper if you consider a code compliant install with disconnect at the array AND MPPT. I don't want to post numbers here on the Distributors website but feel free to email me and I will share some white papers off line [email protected]
    I'd like to see your numbers because I almost always use a 600V mppt. The labor saved and the flexibility to make easy changes later
    are easily 5 times the cost of a 600vdc disconnect. I can get the square D and another make for less than $100.
    300M ?  a no brainer for the morningstar or schneider electric 600vdc mppt'.

    https://www.amazon.com/HU361-SQUARE-safety-disconnect-switch/dp/B00A2BKD40/ref=pd_sbs_60_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=STF0YSK16N1XZGMNGS1P

    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,422 admin
    Ryan/Halfcrazy--Please feel free to post the paper/link to the paper about high voltage arrays for off grid power systems (if you would like).

    We are all about sharing the information here--And let the chips fall where they may.

    Take care,
    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    Dave, is that disconnect rated for DC use (I see only AC on the label)?

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2016 #9
    Jon, I thought you were an engineer?  Electrical or mechanical?
    one can get these in NEMA 3 also for out in the rain or build a cover for this one under the eaves with a inverter shut down for the fire guys. I think these have been around since Tesla so nothing new here. With the industry going to 1000V and commercial going to 1500 DC. I have clients who place one inside the structure also because they are afraid to go out when the lightning is close. One can add a fuse kit and have 3 panel strings in one of these. I love the sound they make, sounds like the electric chair in one of those old movies or the one in Young Frankenstein.


    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail [email protected]

  • markaubin
    markaubin Registered Users Posts: 3
    Thanks everybody for all the great advice. Now that I have learned this will be possible my next step is to pick the actual spot for the panels and then measure the distance to the existing power shed. With real numbers then I can determine what panels & wiring combinations might work.

    I'm still waiting for a private reply from halfcrazy/[email protected] regarding the white papers.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭
    markaubin said:
    Thanks everybody for all the great advice. Now that I have learned this will be possible my next step is to pick the actual spot for the panels and then measure the distance to the existing power shed. With real numbers then I can determine what panels & wiring combinations might work.

    I'm still waiting for a private reply from halfcrazy/[email protected] regarding the white papers.


    Hi Mark,

    In an attempt to be clear about Halfcrazy Ryan's e-mail address,  you did send an e-mail,  to:
    [email protected]       ...      NOT halfcrazy/[email protected]    ??

    Just an easy question.   FWIW,   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • markaubin
    markaubin Registered Users Posts: 3
    Vic said:
    markaubin said:
    Thanks everybody for all the great advice. Now that I have learned this will be possible my next step is to pick the actual spot for the panels and then measure the distance to the existing power shed. With real numbers then I can determine what panels & wiring combinations might work.

    I'm still waiting for a private reply from halfcrazy/[email protected] regarding the white papers.


    Hi Mark,

    In an attempt to be clear about Halfcrazy Ryan's e-mail address,  you did send an e-mail,  to:
    [email protected]       ...      NOT halfcrazy/[email protected]    ??

    Just an easy question.   FWIW,   Vic


    Yup I sent email to [email protected] 

    Just sent another ping.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,207 ✭✭✭✭
    OK,  Thanks Mark,  just checking.   Good Luck,   Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • DaveB
    DaveB Solar Expert Posts: 48 ✭✭✭
    Was there any more technical info that could be shared about this?  Was also looking at 10kw ~1000ft away.  May use multiple lines to orient some panels in different directions (East to pick up morning sun, most South, and some West to pick up evening sun, all for off grid so reducing battery use in morning and evening beneficial).
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    No problem with a voltage on the high side and the right size wire (probably aluminum).   http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,422 admin
    The actual wiring/breaker configuration will depend on the details... The MPPT charge controller(s) you choose, and the array/wiring configuration needed to support them.

    You can get MPPT charge controllers that support ~400 Vmp-array-std (600 volt max input controller) from several vendors now. That would (probably) be the optimum configuration (price/performance).

    However, I highly recommend that you do several paper designs and cost them out before you go and by (more) hardware.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • DaveB
    DaveB Solar Expert Posts: 48 ✭✭✭
    My missing piece was not realizing that aluminum cable is 2x-3x cheaper then copper now and it would be acceptable to use USE-2 in aluminum one gauge larger.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    DaveB said:
    My missing piece was not realizing that aluminum cable is 2x-3x cheaper then copper now and it would be acceptable to use USE-2 in aluminum one gauge larger.
    I thought it was 2 ga sizes larger, if #10 copper is good, # 8 aluminum is good too.   #9 would not be large enough.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,