Disappointing new west facing string

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,027 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Have yet to see more than 7.4 amps being produced per CC. Though it has been cloudy the vast majority of the time. My theory:
Now I am done bulking in the AM. So the CC delivers fewer amps after bulking is done. West face is designed for afternoon production but the batteries don’t need bulking input by the time the sun is hitting the new western string. 

Correct?

My main Outback CC is kept cool down by the root cellar. I only look when something seems off. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Provided your batteries are already in absorb or float mode the benefit of the West facing panels will be to help cover your loads and keep your batteries from having to do that in the afternoon.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • Wheelman55
    Wheelman55 Registered Users Posts: 253 ✭✭✭
    #3
    We’ve got a single axis tracker. On sunny days our batteries (lithium) stay at 100% right up to sunset. 

    At sunrise we get power from the array which gets us to 100% within 1-1/2 hours. This is on good sun days. 

    You might want to look at SOC around sunset to compare with and without your new west array. 

    I bet you’ll like your results. 
    Off-Grid in Terlingua, TX
    5,000 watt array - 14 CS 370 watt modules. HZLA horizontal tracker. Schneider: XW6048NA+, Mini PDP, MPPT 80-600, SCP. 390ah LiFeP04 battery bank - 3 Discover AES 42-48-6650 48 volt 130ah LiFePO4 batteries
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