Optimal usage of 10 used 250 watt panels?

softdown
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

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 watts at 14 degrees pointed east:
    MonthSolar Radiation
    ( kWh / m2 / day )
    AC Energy
    ( kWh )
    January2.8773
    February4.1296
    March5.39137
    April6.54157
    May7.35177
    June8.08182
    July7.33167
    August6.62152
    September5.65130
    October4.40108
    November3.3883
    December2.7570
    Annual5.371,532

    1000 watts at 2 degree pointed south:
    MonthSolar Radiation
    ( kWh / m2 / day )
    AC Energy
    ( kWh )
    January3.0478
    February4.2499
    March5.53140
    April6.65159
    May7.41177
    June7.94178
    July7.15162
    August6.52149
    September5.71130
    October4.56111
    November3.5887
    December2.9575
    Annual5.441,545

    1000 watts at 20 degrees pointed south:
    MonthSolar Radiation
    ( kWh / m2 / day )
    AC Energy
    ( kWh )
    January4.32112
    February5.48128
    March6.36159
    April7.02167
    May7.33175
    June7.65171
    July7.03158
    August6.74153
    September6.42146
    October5.72140
    November4.99123
    December4.32114
    Annual6.121,746

    12% more output than simply laying the panels flat. Negligible difference during the summer however.


    1000 watts at 14 degrees pointed west
    MonthSolar Radiation
    ( kWh / m2 / day )
    AC Energy
    ( kWh )
    January2.8673
    February3.9792
    March5.24132
    April6.35152
    May7.16172
    June7.49168
    July6.63150
    August6.05138
    September5.37122
    October4.30105
    November3.3481
    December2.7670
    Annual5.131,455

    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
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭✭

    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
  • NANOcontrol
    NANOcontrol Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭✭
    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.