what panel I should use

System · April 2008

I purchased a 9900kw solar electric system from a local dealer with a 50% rebate It has 45 sunpower SPR-220 PV module panels. They don't make them any more and on S&P's site the substituts are SPR-230 SPR-225 SPR-215 SPR-210. Could you recemend one of these panels. I just found out about guarente highest minimum power out of box and can't figure wich to use. Green horn going green.

westbranch · April 2008

Re: what panel I should use

Andy, what is it you wish to do? Add more panels?

Crewzer has posted some good information on mix and matching panels of similar output on the Technical forum. They are a good read if you are wanting that type of information

PS is it 9900 w ? (vs Kw)

cheers
Eric

System2 · April 2008

Re: what panel I should use

I would like a recommendation on which Sun Power Panels to use. I bought this system from a contractor and the choice of panels are what I need help with. Should i bail out of the contract and lose the $500.00 plus 50% rebate and start over. It is suppose to be a 9900 kw system which has 45 Sun Power 220 PV module panels, but they dont make them any more. Now I need to know which one is the best most efficent of the choices that I have to chose from which are : SPR210, SPR215,SPR225, and the SPR 230.I want to go green but now am unsure, not sure if it is worth it!
PS I think 9900kw grid tie in
Thank you Up In The Air

westbranch · April 2008

Re: what panel I should use

are these the right links?

http://www.sunpowercorp.com/Smarter-Solar/The-SunPower-Advantage/~/media/Downloads/smarter_solar/DRoseWCPEC4%20FINAL.ashx

http://www.perfectpowernetwork.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SPR-220

http://www.perfectpowernetwork.com/pdf/SPR-220.pdf

compare to Mitsubishi for example:

http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/solar/products/pvmodule/spec01.html

and Evergreen/Sun:

http://www.evergreensolar.com/upload/pdf/us/S190_US_010407.pdf

Note the specs and there are also references to grid tie systems to read up on.

I see that the 220 w units you are asking about are rated @ ~40 volts therefore may be good for charging a 36 volt system, assuming a good MPPT charge controller. Some of the experts here can give you a more definitive answer.

What other components are in the 'package'? These are wuite reelvant ot your evaluation of value...

cheers
Eric

BB. · April 2008

Re: what panel I should use

Remember that SunPower panels require POSITIVE GROUND systems... If they are connected to a negative ground system they may loose something like 50% of their power (connecting them back to positive ground system will "fix the problem" within hours--or faster).

So, for Grid Tied systems, what inverter do you have? Typically it will be a Xantrex Inverter configured for positive ground.

Solar Guppy would have to weigh in here whether or not a positive grounded GT inverter works well with normal SI panels---From what little I have read, it should not be a problem.

WestBranch,

The issue with using SunPower panels with MX 60 and other MPPT solar charge controllers is that (as far as I know) they are typically wired as negative grounded systems.

And while you can wire some of them (like the MX 60 from Outback??? I think???) as a positive ground (like for telephone system applications)--it is non-standard and would probably cause lots of confusion for everyone that assumes a DC solar system is negative ground...

-Bill

PS: A 36 volt DC battery would require roughly a minimum of 50 volts from solar panels for proper operation...

what panel I should use

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