String size advisable?

zozomike
zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
So I thought I was posting this question before, but evidently no one really thought I was asking for suggestions. I am tomorrow  ordering 20 of the following, and I think I can parallel wire two strings of 10,each, one string east facing one west at 20 degree tilt,  seems that  should bring them into spec for two Outback FM80 controllers. Am I missing something? East west will supposedly cut output 15 or more percent. 3 % wiring loss and 2500 watts gets very close to 2000. Available location is the reason for venturing into east west, and the panels are very inexpensive used. 
Sunpower 250 black
72 cell
VOC 48.8
VMP 40.5
ISC 6.56
Coldest annual -10f
80 foot from farthest panel to cc. 
Latitude 33, longitude 105,altitude 7500ft.
I think based 66 amps ,48 volts I probably need at least number 6 from combiner to cc? 50 foot run.
And will need a 2 string combiner, with of course, 2 runs to 2 cc, in 1- 2inch underground conduit. Any suggestions?

Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You might want to try various strings in the OB tool online.  My guess is 5 strings of 2 per array should would.

    I'd err on the large size for conduit.  Trying to squish big wire into small pipes isn't worth the marginal cost saving IMHO.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    zozomike said:
     I think I can parallel wire two strings of 10,each, one string east facing one west at 20 degree tilt,  seems that  should bring them into spec for two Outback FM80 controllers. Am I missing something? 

    Any suggestions?
    FM80 has an open voltage hard max of 150 volts,   in a string they are in series.   In series the voltage adds so a string of 10 panels has VOC of 488 volts. Too much to handle.

    Link to  Manual;
    http://www.outbackpower.com/downloads/documents/charge_controllers/flexmax_6080/specsheet.pdf
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    As solar panel voltages increase (Voc/Vmp), you run into a difficult position when running at 140/150 VDC Vpanel max for typical higher end MPPT charge controllers and 48 VDC battery bank operating voltages.

    2x 48.8 Voc panels in series is about the maximum you can run in a cool region... 3x 48.8 = 146.4VDC @ Voc standard temperature (~75F/25C), and will go way over that in subfreezing weather.

    And you have 2x 40.5 volts Vmp = 81 volts Vmp-array standard temperature... And it will drop a lot in hot/sunny weather (down towards ~65 volts @ hot panel).

    And your battery bank needs about 60 Volts to charge... That leaves 5 volts for wiring drop and controller drop (almost all MPPT charge controllers can efficiently "drop" voltage--They cannot increase output/battery charging voltage higher than Vpanel input voltage).

    Say you will allow 2 volt wiring drop from array to charge controller (~3% drop). If you assume 250 Watt panels * 20 panels = 5,000 Watts
    • 5,000 watts * 0.77 panel+controller derating * 1/58.0 volts charging = 66 amps "average best case charging" current to battery bank
    • 5,000 watts * 0.77 panel derating * 1/80 Volts Vmp-array std =  48 amps (roughly)
    Using a simple voltage drop calculator: 80 feet, 48 amps array current, 2.0 volt max drop:
    https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=0.8152&voltage=80&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=80&distanceunit=feet&amperes=48&x=57&y=22

    4 AWG wiring from array to charge controller (just two wires total):
    Voltage drop: 1.91
    Voltage drop percentage: 2.39%
    Voltage at the end: 78.09

    4 AWG is good for ~70-95 Amps, depending on insulation type, operating temperature, conduit fill, etc.

    https://lugsdirect.com/WireCurrentAmpacitiesNEC-Table-301-16.htm

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Thanks folks. Yes I thought about 5 strings of 2, after posting. That's  97.6 vdc with 32.8 amps correct per array? Each string on a15 amp breaker? Just means more spaces in combiner box, or 2 boxes. But yields #6awg runs to controllers which is more reasonable.  I was planning to lay #6 bare ground in the ditch alongside the conduit to tie to the  single point ground of the entire system. Is this appropriate?

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    If you use 2x parallel strings (or divide the 5 kWatt array on two parallel charge controllers), then 6 AWG should be fine (each 3 AWG drop in wire size, is ~2x heavier cable/cross sectional area is 2x more per 3 AWG steps). So 2x 6 AWG parallel runs is the same as a single ~3 AWG cable run.

    The 15 Amp fuse/breaker, is one per 2x parallel connected panels. So, 5x panels "strings" in parallel would require 5x breakers/fuses.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Bill. I'm not sure why you guys say my 24 volt battery wants 60 volts to charge. But I'm just going to plunge ahead with two arrays of net 2000 watts each. And  two fm80s.
    I appreciate everyone's time.

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Sorry, I missed the 24 volt battery in your signature (or thought you were building a new system). Or thought the 66 amps was "total charging current" @ 48 volt bank vs 1/2 the total charging current per FM 80 on a 24 volt bank.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    60v would be for a 48v nominal bank.  30ish would be the min on a 24v.

    Note that 24v nominal bank could potentially charge at ~22-23v at low SOC.  At 7500' in cold, you could potentially see something close to STC output on the arrays.  2500w STC / 22 = ~113a vs 80a controller.  This is all just potential and the overpanelling may work out fine, but something to be aware of.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Got it, and like everything sometimes you gotta just leap. So thanks for helping me look first, hehe.
    My clumsy number crunching tells me a 10 degree tilt at 180 and 270 degrees for 20 ( 10 per array) of these would yield just a few more  ( like 800) watts per solar day, per array. vs 8 panel arrays at proper 90 degrees in a space made necessary sawtooth configuration.  And the east west tent look would be a much easier racking setup in this particular  case. 

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    30V minimum for charging a 24V bank.   How much "overhead" your charge controller needs to be able to output that 30V, depends on the mfg's specs.   Some PWM merely need 30V   Some MPPT want to have at least 45V to be able to downconvert and current multiply,

    So setting your array voltage becomes more of a project than slapping some panels together
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    I would say 31v minimum, and really more if you have to do a super eq someday ;)
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Hmmm, on the array suggested of 5 strings of 2, I thought I was looking at ( per pv watts) giving up almost 500 watts in the 2500 watt array for the proposed east west orientation.  But I calculated that would still yield 40 volts at 49 amps. Is that incorrect?

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In strings of 2 assuming array output of ~2000w, that would be something like 2000 ÷ ~70vmp = 28ish amps per array into each CC. 

    That gets bucked to ~80a into a 24v bank.

    The array vmp will vary a bit with temperature (eg from near or above string voc ~100v on a cold morning to maybe 65-70v in hot sun).

    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Thanks, I am always so grateful that you folks take the time to herd the clueless into better directions. Or at least less dangerous ones.

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw


  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Next time look at the FM100. You have 300 vdc max on the array to work with and can make a much faster installation, and 100 adc.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • zozomike
    zozomike Solar Expert Posts: 134 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Dave. I already had one FM 80, and picked up 3 more along with the buy of the slightly used FlexPower 2. Otherwise the 100 would be a better buy.  And I will go that direction if these wear out before I do. 

    Off grid, all solar, passive and active (winter wood heat supplements) PV DHW.

    Array 1-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Array 2-- 12 Sunpower 250, Outback FM 100 3kw

    Well array 780w, 6 Kyocera 130 w with Grundfos sqflex 11 and cu200 to elevated storage, ( 2- 330 g tanks,) no battery storage at well

    10 24 volt Battle Born Lithiums

    Outback Flexpower Two, VFXR 3524A 7kw