The top-tier vendors are usually very clear which specs you can "push" and which are hard limits. I find most of the time the total voltage on MPPT units is strict, especially if you're tilting and might get cold clear days in winter.on-line panel vendors no longer advise upspecing the controller by 25% over panel wattage div 12. Have controllers gotten better, vendors less honest or what has changed.
Larry,
You can add it if you like.
We just completed a solar install using Victron Energy's MPPT charge controller technology. We used (2) SunPower X21-345 panels in series mounted on the pilothouse roof. With the help of Victron's calculator we were able to safely match the charge controller for the installation. The calculator is at:
https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/...ar-modules-to-the-new-mppt-charge-regulators/
The above file allows you to enter the specific parameters of the panel(s) you plan to use.
Because of our existing investment in our (2) Victron's Multiplus units and Color GX display it made sense to go in this direction. With a recent test on anchor, we are very pleased with the results - no generator needed...
See attached pic...
This is a presentation that I gave at the PSGBOA Rendezvous. It is basic but gives an idea of the process.
On Ebbtide 600w gives us a nice surplus and we can now make ice via the inverter while on the hook!
Safe travels,
Bob & Jill
Poor installs making maintenance difficult or an issue is bad for any system, not just solar.
Seems to be way more satisfied than dissatisfied solar users.
Do you have suggestions on how to clean under the panels?
If it was my install and they weren't high enough to get under, they would be hinged on one side and pinned on the other.
Even better, they would be pinned on both sides for easy removal and have leg supports to possibly be tilted for better sun angle.
If the use case is charging batteries on the hook long-term, with that much genny all solar will do for you ishow long do I have to run my 20kw generator to equal the amount of electricity generated by my hypothetical panels?
This is a serious SWAG, but let's say yo can fit 1kw of panels, and get 5hrs of full sun equivalent output. That's 5kwh per day. That's 15 minutes of gen run time at full output.
Now if you are wondering how much gen run time the panels will save, it's actually better than that because your chargers are very unlikely to consume the full 20kw of your gen. You might have 3-6kw of charger capacity, so you are looking at more like a full hour of run time.