Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

jberg85 · January 2015

I'm looking at these ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels. Spec sheet for these: http://www.civicsolar.com/sites/default/files/documents/renesola-156poly-300w-305w-70179.pdf

I can get them for .79 per watt delivered to my door including shipping. I'm going to be purchasing between 7200 - 7800 watts for a 48v outback fp2 complete off grid system with about 800amp hour battery bank.

The other option I have is a local company has some 225w panels for $0.71 a watt but I have to go pick them up. Spec sheet for these - https://cdn.fbsbx.com/hphotos-xpf1/v/t59.2708-21/10741369_10200199069455895_1779421656_n.pdf/ToPoint-Solar-Panels.pdf?oh=61c303c91ef177b30276f039365c8f2c&oe=54C0F782&dl=1

Alright fire away at me with your guys thoughts...

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

anyone? Any advice?

gww1 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

I don't have an answer, 300 watt panels are really heavy I bet. I got 235 watt panels and it was about all I could do to install them. I don't know anything else and I always ask for myself the same as you are doing.
gww

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

gww1, thank you for your comments, yes the 300w panels are 20lbs heavier and about a foot and a half longer in height. That said I don't mind to much as I will be able to install and use less panels because of the larger size.

One question I have is with the 300w panels the VOC is 44.8 per panel and the vmp is 36.6 based on this if I get the 300w panels I would be better suited to have 2 in series vs 3 correct? Again it will be on a Outback FP2 full system with 48v.

Thanks again

BB. · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

How long will the cabling be from array to charge controller?

How cold will it get (Florida?)?

Looks like 2x FM 80 charge controllers for your ~7,800 watt array?

-Bill

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

Hey Bill,

The cabling from the array to the controller longest stretch around 200 feet.

Yes in Florida where range of cold is not like most places. We might get a few days (very seldom) in the 20's & 30's.

Yes the 2 FM 80's will be used on this system.

Thanks again for commenting.

Vic · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

Hi jberg ..,

Have never used or even heard of RenaSola.

200 feet is a VERY LONG run of cable from the array to the CCs. And, given your occasional low temps, you might be better of with the second vendor's PVs, as they have a lower Vmp and Voc, and plan on running strings of three. This will yield a reasonable string Voc for cold weather.

Hope that you are prepared to invest in large cables for the run from the array to the CCs. It is possible that you might want to consider a CC that will tolerate higher input voltages, compared to the FM80s -- perhaps a MidNite Classic 200s?

FWIW, Good Luck, Vic

BB. · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

Play with the String Sizing tool from Midnite:

http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/chco/misoclchco/midnite-solar-classic-sizing-tool.html

3 panels in series x 4 in parallel:

PV Array

Rated PV Array Power:
3600
Watts

Anticipated Array Power @ 100F:
3393
Watts

Rated PV Array Current:
32.8
Amps

Battery Charging Current @ 57.6 V:
62.5
Amps

VMP (Maximum Power Point Voltage) :
109.8
Volts

VOC (Open Circuit Voltage):
112.8
Volts

VMP @ 20 F°:
125.4
Volts

VOC @ 20 F°:
124.5
Volts

Classic & Classic Lite Charge Controller Selection
150
200
250

Max Operating Voltage
150
200
250

Max Non operating VOC (HyperVOC) @ 48V Nominal Battery Voltage
198
248
298

Maximum Number Of Modules In Series
3
4
6

Max Number Of Modules In Series (Using HyperVOC)
4
5
7

Max Allowable Output Current Per Classic
Based On This Current Configuration
80
70
55

Max Allowable Wattage Per Classic
Based On This Current Configuration
4672
4080
3212

Present PV Array Wattage Of This Configuration
3600
3600
3600

Design Check

Max VOC
OK
OK
OK

Temperature The Classic Will
Enter HyperVOC
-103 F°
-344.2 F°
-587.2 F°

Array Power (Wattage)
OK
OK
EXCESSIVE

Classics Required
0.8
0.9
1.2

Assuming I got everything right (always check yourself--Not my day job).

200 feet of wiring, 4x 8.2 amps = 32.8 amps, say you want ~1-3% voltage drop maximum (~1.1 to 3.3 volt drop). Generic voltage drop calculator:

200 feet, 32.8 amps -> 3 AWG @ Voltage drop: 2.59 volts
200 feet, 32.8 amps -> 2/O AWG @ Voltage drop: 1.02 volts

If you went with the 200 Volt Midnite controller, 4 in series by 3 parallel strings, Vmp 146.4 volts (nominal) and Imp-array 24.6 amps (~1.5 to 4.4 volt drop):

200 feet, 24.6 amps -> 6 AWG @ Voltage drop: 3.89 volts
200 feet, 24.6 amps -> 2 AWG @ Voltage drop: 1.54 volts

Anyway--Your thoughts?

-Bill

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

Thank you Everyone for the posts.

I just talked to my buddy Jay who is also a member on this forum. I was way over estimating on the distance. I was saying the furthest panel would be as far away as 200 feet, which was overestimating there even. After talking to him he is saying the cable from the controller to the combiner box is in all actuality going to be no more than 100.

I already have some aluminum 4-4-4-6 service cable from another project so the cabling isn't a problem as long as I can use that.

Bill, what are your thoughts on the two different panels spec wise. With all these facts showing would you go for 33 of the 225w panels or 24 of the larger panels to get about the same total arrays wattage.

Thanks again.

BB. · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

Vmp~30 volt (60 cell panels) are more common right now, and easier to replace if a panel gets damaged.

What you need to look at is the Vmp of the panels... and how the Vmp-array works out against your charge controller choices.

The lower voltage panels let you "sneak up" to ~100 VDC or so--Give you the lowest Imp-array current. With the higher Vmp panels (36 volt an higher), the series combination is in bigger "steps"--Which makes hitting the Vpanel optimum of the MPPT controller more difficult.

-Bill

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

The controllers will be 2 Outback FM80's.

microage97 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

I have 12 of the 24V 245w models. They are great so far. Here in HI they really crank out the watts. paid 1.00/watt. I hit 5.2 KW yesterday.

Dave

jberg85 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

microage97 wrote: »

I have 12 of the 24V 245w models. They are great so far. Here in HI they really crank out the watts. paid 1.00/watt. I hit 5.2 KW yesterday.

Dave

Glad to hear. How is the frame construction etc. on them? Just mainly wondering how overall quality is since seams no one else really has seen or used them on here.

Thanks

sdold · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

jberg85 wrote: »

Glad to hear. How is the frame construction etc. on them? Just mainly wondering how overall quality is since seams no one else really has seen or used them on here.

This probably isn't much help, but a friend and I just installed 26 JC 250M b/b (or something close) and the quality seemed great. They look like they're made like every other panel I've looked at. Performed fine since July. Our purchase was based on another install of 20 that had gone well. Not much info, I know, but at least you're not the only one that's heard of them :-)

jcheil · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

My only concern about them was that on the 300w panels, they are almost 6 & 1/2 feet tall.
And that is a pretty large span for the frame to support to prevent flexing, etc.
So it would require more rails for mounting vs 60-cell panels.

But Bill's point about 60-cell panels being more common and easier to replace/match in the future is a good one that I had never even thought of. I always recommend buying an "extra" panel as a spare since they are so cheap but if it ever became an issue, he is right in that other 60-cell panels will be closer to the original specs.

microage97 · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

jberg85 wrote: »

Glad to hear. How is the frame construction etc. on them? Just mainly wondering how overall quality is since seams no one else really has seen or used them on here.

Thanks

The frames seem to built very sturdy. I man handled mine and didn't have any issues at all. Be aware that the backs of the panels get smokin hot in the sun so be careful if they have been in the sun when it comes time to carry them up the ladder.

jcheil · January 2015

Re: Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

microage97 wrote: »

The frames seem to built very sturdy. I man handled mine and didn't have any issues at all. Be aware that the backs of the panels get smokin hot in the sun so be careful if they have been in the sun when it comes time to carry them up the ladder.

Yes but remember his would be the 300W panels that are at least 1' longer than your 245's. The longer they get the more I had concern about "flex". We get pretty high winds here in FL sometimes so mounting is always a critical part.

Anyone use the ReneSola JC300M-24/Ab panels? Need advice/review on quality

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