Optimal usage of 10 used 250 watt panels?
softdown
Solar Expert Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭✭
Need more summer time production due to quite a number of fridges and freezers. Existing array is at 45 degrees with latitude of 37 degrees. Awesome winter time production.
Lots of room left on this flattish roof ~ 2.5 degrees. Roof is 45’ wide.
So many options exist for adding panels. I have two 100v charge controllers that will each handle two panels in serial. Could easily get two 150v charge controllers that will each handle three panels in serial.
Would be efficient to lay a strip of angle iron, guessing here, ~18” above the flattish roof. And attached to the upright tan gable end. Good summer time angle is, what, about 20 degrees or so? Angle iron strongly secures the panels at the desired angle.
Without much analysis done this configuration seems acceptable:
3 panels pointed EAST
3 panels pointed WEST These panels would do quite well judging from summer time sunlight production.
4 panels pointed SOUTH - already have 18 smaller panels pointed south but at 45 degrees. Summer time production consequently suffers.
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
Comments
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1000 watts at 14 degrees pointed east:
Month Solar Radiation ( kWh / m2 / day )AC Energy ( kWh )January 2.87 73 February 4.12 96 March 5.39 137 April 6.54 157 May 7.35 177 June 8.08 182 July 7.33 167 August 6.62 152 September 5.65 130 October 4.40 108 November 3.38 83 December 2.75 70 Annual 5.37 1,532 1000 watts at 2 degree pointed south:Month Solar Radiation ( kWh / m2 / day )AC Energy ( kWh )January 3.04 78 February 4.24 99 March 5.53 140 April 6.65 159 May 7.41 177 June 7.94 178 July 7.15 162 August 6.52 149 September 5.71 130 October 4.56 111 November 3.58 87 December 2.95 75 Annual 5.44 1,545 1000 watts at 20 degrees pointed south:Month Solar Radiation ( kWh / m2 / day )AC Energy ( kWh )January 4.32 112 February 5.48 128 March 6.36 159 April 7.02 167 May 7.33 175 June 7.65 171 July 7.03 158 August 6.74 153 September 6.42 146 October 5.72 140 November 4.99 123 December 4.32 114 Annual 6.12 1,746
12% more output than simply laying the panels flat. Negligible difference during the summer however.1000 watts at 14 degrees pointed westMonth Solar Radiation ( kWh / m2 / day )AC Energy ( kWh )January 2.86 73 February 3.97 92 March 5.24 132 April 6.35 152 May 7.16 172 June 7.49 168 July 6.63 150 August 6.05 138 September 5.37 122 October 4.30 105 November 3.34 81 December 2.76 70 Annual 5.13 1,455 9% less output than easterly oriented panels. Surprised at that. The west sun seems to hang forever during the summer - providing daylight until ~8:30pm. I suppose this is assured mathematically.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries -
Simply laying the auxiliary panels flat comes astonishingly close to angled panels in output. Eliminating the need for racking and the possibility of roof leaks or wind damage.On the other hand I’m sure that angled east and west panels would start and maintain production for a longer period of time. I’m not sure what those numbers would be however. Early morning and late evening sun is notoriously weak in terms of solar production.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries -
I have an array facing due east and they are highly productive. I think they are an ideal solution, power when you need it most first thing in the day. Greatly reduces the need to store power. Batteries are recharged and water heaters turn off by 10am so I can run the dishwasher.
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