4 x 100w solar panels and one 30a charge controller?

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1911
1911 Registered Users Posts: 47 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
hello,

I recently ordered 4 x 100w SunPower flexible panels.

I already had a Morningstar Prostar 30 w/ display.

Do I need a second charge controller or can the 30 amp cc handle the 400 watts?

specs on panels:

  • Nominal power: 100 Watts
  • Power tolerance: +6 / -3 Watts
  • Vmp: 17.1 Volts
  • Voc: 21.4 Volts
  • Imp: 5.9 Amps
  • Isc: 6.3 Amps
  • Module efficiency: 18.8%
Thanks!
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Morningstar has a string calculator which is is extremely useful for finding out the best configuration http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com. Without knowing the proposed nominal voltage and assuming worst case scenario 12V, it would appear a single 30A  controller would be all that's needed. All panels in parallel 4 × 5.9A = 23.6A  actual would be closer to 75% of rating so 23.6 × 75% =  17.7A so within 30A maximum.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • powersurge
    powersurge Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited September 2019 #3
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    FWIW my 4 100 watt panels 18.9 voc
     5.29 imp ( 21.16 total) with 30 amp pwm almost every day in summer I see  22 amps.  edge of cloud flashes 24 amps.
    Has been working 3 years.
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