Consider connecting the panels in series. As well as not requiring a 'Y' connector it doubles the output voltage. This helps to avoid voltage drop (power losses) in the cable. This is especially important when the panels are a significant distance from the MPPT controller. Sheds are often several metres away from the rest of the system and as there are two cores the total round trip distance will be twice that of the cable. Parallel connection has advantages in partial shading conditions but, unless this is the case in a particular application series connection usually produces more power output at the MPPT controller. Just make sure that the total panel output voltage is less than the MPPT rated voltage. In the case of Victron controllers, if the voltage is exceeded, they will just limit the output. Some other makes do no have this protection and may be irrepairably damaged. Most panels have an open circuit voltage of less than 50v so for a 150v Victron controller up to 3 panels can be placed in series. As 250v controllers are significantly more expensive placing series connected pairs of panels in parallel keeps the cost down. You are then just limited by the maximum current/power the controller can handle.
I didn't have the batteries at the time of the video, hence why I just plugged in the Solar panels direct to Solar Controller to test them (perfectly safe). But you are indeed correct that when you have the Solar Inputs and Battery, the order to connect them is 1) Battery connected first to Solar Controller 2) then the Solar Panels to the Solar Controller
Thanks for the video I'm looking for a shed mount solution on my shed to replace the wooden one that i gave that leaks. With the solution you have can you remove the panel witout taking the mount of the roof?
Good question, there's not a lot of clearance (which in one respect is good to stop birds nesting), but you can loosen the single nut from the bottom (using a long reach spanner) which connects the brackets to the solar panel frame. So yes, the panels can be removed, leaving the feet fixed to the shed roof.
Great video, thanks. I'm looking at doing something very similar. But as I would have each of 2 panels facing in a different direction, would it be more efficient for the charge controller to bring in each panel to a separate input - rather than run them in parallel using just one input like you have done in this video? Am thinking of the times when one panel may be shaded and the other in full sunlight etc.
Good point actually, in hindsight I was thinking whether there was any benefit to adding the individual panels direct into the separate inputs of the charge controller and it turns out the 3x inputs are set as Parallel anyway so I'm going to try this when I get a chance and compare it with the readings I've had so far in the Victron App, so thanks for that prompt.
Nope, if you have a Charge controller, it's important to connect the Battery to the charge controller first. This powers up the controller and done all the calibration etc before you add the solar panels after. -P.S. I assumed this it was you were asking :-)
Consider connecting the panels in series. As well as not requiring a 'Y' connector it doubles the output voltage. This helps to avoid voltage drop (power losses) in the cable. This is especially important when the panels are a significant distance from the MPPT controller. Sheds are often several metres away from the rest of the system and as there are two cores the total round trip distance will be twice that of the cable.
Parallel connection has advantages in partial shading conditions but, unless this is the case in a particular application series connection usually produces more power output at the MPPT controller. Just make sure that the total panel output voltage is less than the MPPT rated voltage. In the case of Victron controllers, if the voltage is exceeded, they will just limit the output. Some other makes do no have this protection and may be irrepairably damaged. Most panels have an open circuit voltage of less than 50v so for a 150v Victron controller up to 3 panels can be placed in series. As 250v controllers are significantly more expensive placing series connected pairs of panels in parallel keeps the cost down. You are then just limited by the maximum current/power the controller can handle.
Thanks for the vid
Comment for the algorithm
All hail the algorithm
Shouldn’t you always have a battery hooked up before connecting the solar?!
I didn't have the batteries at the time of the video, hence why I just plugged in the Solar panels direct to Solar Controller to test them (perfectly safe). But you are indeed correct that when you have the Solar Inputs and Battery, the order to connect them is 1) Battery connected first to Solar Controller 2) then the Solar Panels to the Solar Controller
Thanks for the video I'm looking for a shed mount solution on my shed to replace the wooden one that i gave that leaks. With the solution you have can you remove the panel witout taking the mount of the roof?
Good question, there's not a lot of clearance (which in one respect is good to stop birds nesting), but you can loosen the single nut from the bottom (using a long reach spanner) which connects the brackets to the solar panel frame. So yes, the panels can be removed, leaving the feet fixed to the shed roof.
Great video, thanks. I'm looking at doing something very similar. But as I would have each of 2 panels facing in a different direction, would it be more efficient for the charge controller to bring in each panel to a separate input - rather than run them in parallel using just one input like you have done in this video? Am thinking of the times when one panel may be shaded and the other in full sunlight etc.
Good point actually, in hindsight I was thinking whether there was any benefit to adding the individual panels direct into the separate inputs of the charge controller and it turns out the 3x inputs are set as Parallel anyway so I'm going to try this when I get a chance and compare it with the readings I've had so far in the Victron App, so thanks for that prompt.
Did you hook up solar panels 1st
Nope, if you have a Charge controller, it's important to connect the Battery to the charge controller first. This powers up the controller and done all the calibration etc before you add the solar panels after. -P.S. I assumed this it was you were asking :-)