is one larger panel better than two?

davecla
davecla Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I'm after a small panel for a rural shed.

I think I need about a 20Watt panel, I can get a 20Watt panel for $140 or a 10W for $70. (NZ$)


I'm thinking 2 x 10W would give better flexibility etc. Is there any down side to this approach?

Thanks

dave
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,634 admin
    #2
    Re: is one larger panel better than two?

    No big reason to choose one or the other... Little bit more wiring / mounting hardware for two panels vs one.

    If you need the flexibility between 12 volt (two in parallel) vs 24 volt (two in series)--Or being able to split the two panels to two different locations later, then two panels may be better for you.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • RandomJoe
    RandomJoe Solar Expert Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: is one larger panel better than two?

    The only concern I might have with your specific situation is that it seems the really small panels can be cheaper quality and construction-wise. Slightly larger panels start getting better construction methods, comparable to "big" panels. Long as the 10W and 20W are comparably constructed I don't see an issue either way.

    I went with "more smaller panels" when I installed my system. It had some benefits in my particular case:
    • Able to ship the panels UPS rather than freight, as I was only buying 2-3 at a time.
    • Subsequently let me "grow" the system over time - although it was planned in advance, not just randomly added on to.
    • I could work with them by myself if needed, any larger and I'd have to have help.
    • If one gets smashed, I lose a smaller percentage of total capacity. (And MPPT means I can just remove the bad one from the string and keep things running - to a point!)
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  • zeuspaul
    zeuspaul Solar Expert Posts: 59 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: is one larger panel better than two?
    Able to ship the panels UPS rather than freight, as I was only buying 2-3 at a time.

    UPS shipping was the determining factor in my panel size selection. The Kyocera 135 was the largest one I could find that ships UPS and that was from our host. Other vendors ship the same panel freight which makes the cost prohibitive for small orders.

    Zeuspaul
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: is one larger panel better than two?

    i don't think they will require freight for 10-20w pvs.
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