Single charge controller for a 10 degree east AND west solar array?

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Flat panels would obviously lend themselves to a single charge controller. Seems like flat panels would need frequent cleaning. 

New 750W western array is at 10 degrees.
Upcoming 750W eastern array is also at 10 degrees. 

I am wondering how effective a single charge controller, that connects both arrays, would be?

Would the opposing arrays cancel each other out in the early morning and late afternoon?

112 volts from three serial panels. 

48 volt solar system.

Think I used to know the answer and forgot over the years. 


* Additional charge controller is no larger a factor than all the extra wiring and fishing through holes and connections. 
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: 2,196 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    The voltage differential between the two arrays, in parallel, shouldn't have much  difference as solar panels can create full open circuit voltage with low light, so that being said, the only other thing I would suggest would be to orient the arrays southeast and and southwest

    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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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Maybe my dumbest mistake ever.
    Failed to notice skylight obstructing proposed east Bank.
    If only I could easily elevate two panels by 2'.

    That would keep the rain out as well.

    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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  • 706jim
    706jim Solar Expert Posts: 529 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    I have two arrays one facing southeast the other southwest. All in parallel single FM80 controller. Works fine.
    Island cottage solar system with approximately 2300 watts of panels, 1kw facing southeast 1.3kw facing southwest. All panels in parallel for a 24 volt system. Trace DR1524 MSW inverter which has performed flawlessly since 1994. Outback Flexmax 80 MPPT charge controller four 467A-h AGM batteries. Insignia 11.5 cubic foot electric fridge 1/4hp GSW piston pump. My 32nd year.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    I could fab up a wood structure to support two panels over the skylight. 
    Hardly seems worth it for two panels given the extra wiring, connections, fishing and charge controller. 

    A dozen panels isn’t too much different from two panels - both in labor and materials. 

    Maybe I’ll make a support structure for four panels facing south and attached to roof gable above patio roof. 

    This only makes sense if the war continues. I have no reason to believe this war will end in the foreseeable future. What a gigantic wrench in the plans of most. 

    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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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Got the new western array operational. Things are looking good so far.

    Turns out my brand new stucco guy has no power and wants me to do solar for him. Ugh - people have no idea how many details there are. 

    Guy eats out constantly while lacking power and water. Priorities? 
    Rottweiler and pit bull too. 
    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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