Any reason to use 24v panel to 12v system?

draines
draines Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Other than the obvious of course...like a rookie already bought a 12v inverter.

Currently have small system (50w panel, 35ah batt, 300w inverter, PWM10 CC) for chicken coop power on 12v system. Would like to add a panel and batt storage to existing system.

Can I add a 24v panel to a system currently using a 12v battery and another 12v panel? And does it even make sense?

Example - Using the Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT to reduce 24v to 12v?

Thanks-
Dan
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Any reason to use 24v panel to 12v system?

    Oh you can do it, but does it make sense?

    Two options:

    1). use an MPPT type controller to down-convert the higher Voltage panel to the correct level and make full use of its power. Problem: $300 charge controller.

    2). take the current the panel will put out at '12 Volts' (Imp) and suffer the power loss. Problem; still has to be regulated and not all charge controllers like having high input Voltage.

    On the whole it's probably better to get a panel in the right Voltage range instead.
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  • jimindenver
    jimindenver Solar Expert Posts: 59 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Any reason to use 24v panel to 12v system?

    I use 24v panels and each uses a $102 MPPT controller. I do it because I can get the panels off of craigslist stupid cheap making each system roughly $200-300.
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