Redirecting solar panel energy or branching
solaris3000
Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭✭
I'm looking for another way to redirect my solar panels output. Essentially 2 branches, one leading to my DC-load center/batteries and the other to my GT Inverter..
I'm guessing some kind of Distribution Block with a large switch or lever that I could label. SYSTEM A and SYSTEM B
I've seen gear like this on large oil Tankers and Maritime vessels. I'm just not sure if that's what I should be looking for....
Suggestions comments welcomed, I'm new to the solar community....
Thanks
Brian
I'm guessing some kind of Distribution Block with a large switch or lever that I could label. SYSTEM A and SYSTEM B
I've seen gear like this on large oil Tankers and Maritime vessels. I'm just not sure if that's what I should be looking for....
Suggestions comments welcomed, I'm new to the solar community....
Thanks
Brian
Comments
-
Re: Redirecting solar panel energy or branching
Transfer switch can work--But the bigger issue is the array configuration.
Typically, MPPT battery chargers have Voc of 150-200 volts or so maximum. Most GT inverters have a minimum Vmp of 200+ volts and a maximum of 500-600 VDC.
You not only have to transfer the +/- connections, you have to reconfigure the array.
There are options... Schneider/Xantrex has a new 200-600 VDC MPPT Solar Charge controller.
Or, you can transfer your GT inverter output to a TSW inverter's output and back drive it to recharge the battery bank. There are a few more issues--but it can be done with some hardware.
So--A bit more detail on your needs would be helpful.
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Re: Redirecting solar panel energy or branching
Hi Bill , good to hear from you.
Just starting out. The array is a single 125watt panel and the battery bank is only 12v/200ah. No more 125 watt panels, I will be ordering 200+ watt panels from here on out....
I'm using it to feed a 400 watt entertainment center.
Funds are limited at this time, and I think the 3 option will be best from an economical standpoint..
How do I wire the back drive , sound interesting...
my components are listed;
Rogue Charge controller
Xantrex sw600 TSW
Grounded Square D Load Center (Batteries connected directly)
Gt- Inverter
Thanks -
Re: Redirecting solar panel energy or branching
Brian,
For a small system--Grid Tied (at least "legal" grid tie) is not cost effective. Out here, you would be charged ~$300-$$900 or so for a building permit, plus a 10-20 page contract from the utility+you need to meet their insurance requirement. Just does not make sense for a few hundred watts of Grid Tied solar.
So--a small system. Assume 12 volt battery bank, 30 amp Rogue MPPT charge controller, and 0.77 system derating. The maximum (roughly cost effective solar array) that you can use would be:- 30 amp controller * 29 volts charging * 1/0.77 system derating = 1,130 Watt Solar Array
The rule of thumb for the battery bank would be ~5% to 13% charge rate for good battery life (you can go to 25% rate of charge--but it is pretty expensive for solar panels):- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 derating * 0.05 rate of charge = 188 Watt minimum array
- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 derating * 0.10 rate of charge = 377 Watt "good sized" array
- 200 AH * 14.5 volts charging * 1/0.77 derating * 0.05 rate of charge = 490 Watt maximum "cost effective" array
- 200 AH * 12 volts * 0.50 max discharge * 0.85 inverter eff * 1/400 watt load = 3 hours (actually a bit less than 3 hours)
- 377 watts of panels * 4 hours of sun minimum * 0.52 system derating * 1/400 watt load = 1.96 hours of use per "sunny day"
-Bill
Using PV Watts for San Diego, we see you will get around 4.6 to 6.x hours of sun per day over the year:"Station Identification"
"City:","San_Diego"
"State:","California"
"Lat (deg N):", 32.73
"Long (deg W):", 117.17
"Elev (m): ", 9
"PV System Specifications"
"DC Rating:"," 1.0 kW"
"DC to AC Derate Factor:"," 0.520"
"AC Rating:"," 0.5 kW"
"Array Type: Fixed Tilt"
"Array Tilt:"," 32.7"
"Array Azimuth:","180.0"
"Energy Specifications"
"Cost of Electricity:","12.5 cents/kWh"
"Results"
"Month", "Solar Radiation (kWh/m^2/day)", "AC Energy (kWh)", "Energy Value ($)"
1, 4.83, 72, 9.00
2, 5.35, 72, 9.00
3, 5.91, 88, 11.00
4, 6.52, 93, 11.62
5, 6.05, 89, 11.12
6, 5.98, 84, 10.50
7, 6.26, 90, 11.25
8, 6.62, 94, 11.75
9, 6.02, 84, 10.50
10, 5.88, 86, 10.75
11, 5.16, 74, 9.25
12, 4.67, 69, 8.62
"Year", 5.77, 994, 124.25Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Re: Redirecting solar panel energy or branchingsolaris3000 wrote: »I'm looking for another way to redirect my solar panels output. Essentially 2 branches, one leading to my DC-load center/batteries and the other to my GT Inverter..
I'm guessing some kind of Distribution Block with a large switch or lever that I could label. SYSTEM A and SYSTEM B
I've seen gear like this on large oil Tankers and Maritime vessels. I'm just not sure if that's what I should be looking for....
Suggestions comments welcomed, I'm new to the solar community....
Thanks
Brian
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