Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Controller

billdean · December 2020

Currently I have 1200 watts of solar in parallel. Six 200 watt Hightec panels. I am using 2 TS-MPPT-60 controllers. Everything is working fine and I have all the power that I really need. I don't tilt my panels. I use about 20 to 25% of my 4-T105 batteries every night. I have know problems reaching full charge everyday but, I have always wonder if there would be any benefit to me to hook my panels in series. As it stands now I don't believe that I am really using the MPPT controllers to their full potential. But does it really matter?

Image: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1707/1163/products/200W-Hightec-Solar-Panel-Dataplate-600_2048x.jpg?v=1533325117

Photowhit · December 2020

Yes!
At 21 volts VMP you are close to high enough voltage to allow an MPPT type charge controller to work properly, but typically they need 30% higher voltage that they will be charging at. A 12 volt system will charge at 14.5-15 volts so the Charge controller needs a minimum of around 20 volts to work properly. drop your voltage a bit due to Normal Operating Cell Temperatures add a little wire loss and you would be below that.

MorningStar has a string sizing tool here;

http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com/

mike95490 · December 2020

Once you exceed 2x battery charging voltage, you start to incur conversion losses in the MPPT controller. I'm guessing you are running a 12V battery system ... Pg 34 of your manual has the charts showing array voltage loss: (just a couple %)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/editor/ve/r20m4zmnzfx1.png

billdean · December 2020

Yes, my system is 12 volts. I have 2 strings of 3 panels each. Would I be better off to series all 3 panels in each string for a total of 63 volts VMP. I am not real sure how to decipher the results of the Morningstar calculator but I believe that would put me over the max VMP?

Array Information

Minimum Voc (average high temp.)	74.71
Max. Operating Voc (record low temp.)	71.08
Max. Voc (record low Temp., morning)	69.94	<	150	Max. Vin
Minimum Vmp (average high temp.)	64.86	>	15.00	Vb Max.

Maximum Vmp (record low temp.)	61.23
Isc (STC)	9.87
Imp (STC)	9.50

billdean · December 2020

Yes, my system is 12 volts. I have 2 strings of 3 panels each. Would I be better off to series all 3 panels in each string for a total of 63 volts VMP. I am not real sure how to decipher the results of the Morningstar calculator but I believe that would put me over the max VMP?

Interactive String Results						Array Information
	1 String	2 Strings	3 Strings	4 Strings	5 Strings	Max. Voc	Max. Vin	Min. Vmp	Vb Max.	Max. Vmp
1 Module	200	400	600	800	1000	20.14	150.00	23.39	15.00	18.41
2 Modules	400	800	1200	1600	2000	40.28	150.00	46.78	15.00	36.83
3 Modules	600	1200	1800	2400	3000	60.42	150.00	70.16	15.00	55.24
4 Modules	800	1600	2400	3200	4000	80.55	150.00	93.55	15.00	73.65
5 Modules	1000	2000	3000	4000	5000	100.69	150.00	116.94	15.00	92.07
6 Modules	1200	2400	3600	4800	6000	120.83	150.00	140.33	15.00	110.48

Morningstar String Calculator

String Sizing Tool Calculation results

PV Module: Custom -

Morningstar Product: TriStar-MPPT-60

Print Close

System Information

Minimum Battery Voltage	11.50	Vdc
Maximum Battery Voltage	15.00	Vdc
Record Low Temperature	-28.9	°C
Record High Temperature	35.0	°C

Configuration

3 Modules in Series Per String

1 Strings in Parallel

600 Watts Total

Optimal Configuration. Please note that undersized configurations are categorized as optimal which might not be considered as optimal from a cost perspective.

PV Module Specifications

Module Name	Custom -
Pmax	200.00	W
Voc	24.34	V
Isc	9.87	A
Vmp	21.05	V
Imp	9.50	A
Voc coefficient	0.078	%V/°C
NOCT	40.0	°C

Array Information

Minimum Voc (average high temp.)	74.71
Max. Operating Voc (record low temp.)	71.08
Max. Voc (record low Temp., morning)	69.94	<	150	Max. Vin
Minimum Vmp (average high temp.)	64.86	>	15.00	Vb Max.

Maximum Vmp (record low temp.)	61.23
Isc (STC)	9.87
Imp (STC)	9.50

Morningstar Product Specifications

Product Name	TriStar-MPPT-60
Maximum Battery Current	60.00	A
Supported Nominal Battery Voltages	12V, 24V, 36V, 48V

mike95490 · December 2020

I think you need to revisit the term "strings of panels".

A string of panels, is wired in series.
The Combiner Box is where the many strings, are paralleled to the input of the charge controller

billdean · December 2020

OK, how about 2 different runs of panels. In this case there are 2 TS-MPPT controllers with 2 separate feeds. They would not be paralleled to the input of the charge controller.

mike95490 · December 2020

If you have 6 PV panels, and are charging a 12V battery, the most efficient condition is to use 2 panels in a string, and 3 strings paralleled at the combiner. ( ~50Voc, 29A )
1200 watts @ 12V is too many amps (100A) for the 60A controller, and it would be throttling back power to keep from overheating. UNLESS
you implement a "trick" known as "Virtual Tracking". Aim one string east, one string south, one string west. Only one string makes good power at any one time, and you have a longer term solar harvest.

I've not addressed your loads, battery size or proper inverter size. But Three strings of 2 panels - each string aimed differently so you don't have 1200Peak power, is the way I'd build mine, and save $600, since you won't need a 2nd charge controller.

billdean · December 2020

I think you need to revisit the forum you are posting too. Virtual tracking doesn't seem very realistic on and RV. Nor does 1 controller. "Tricks" At least for me are not worth considering on my $250,000.00 motor home.

mike95490 · December 2020

Sorry about not catching the RV part.
Research what your expected harvest is, with panels flat on the roof, at PV watts. It's possible that the poor angle will prevent you from ever realizing that full output, Could be as low as 50% of nameplate. More than 2 panels in a string, and conversion losses of 2-3 % start to add up vs wire losses from the copper wires at mid voltages.
Another thought is the 80A controller from Schneider, or the PT100 100A from Magnum Energy

mountainman · January 2021

I agree with whit. Put your 3 panels in series.
The coldest morning would not over volt a 150 controller.
Seems the conversion loss from wiring the panels in parallel 21 vmp at 600 watts is 95%
Compared to all 3 in series 63 vmp 93.5% 1.5% extra conversion Loss.
I do not know your wire gauge or or run.
But If the panels are in parelell using a 12 awg single wire run @ 20 ft
from the panels to controller
8.5% wire loss with a 2 volt drop.
3 in series is only a .5% wire loss.
21 volts minus 2 volts wire loss plus voltage drop from a 90f day.
It would not be enough voltage for the mppt to function any better than a pwm controller.

Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Controller

Comments

Morningstar String Calculator

String Sizing Tool Calculation results

Categories