Setting up off grid system

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  • maple flats
    Solar Fanatic
    • Oct 2011
    • 108

    Setting up off grid system

    I have a camp that I am hooking up some off grid power. Grid tie not possible, way too far away (miles).
    I have 6 Solar World SW285 mono panels, a Morning Star TriStar MPPT-60 CC and I am connecting to 4 Rolls 6CS-21P batteries, in series for a 24V bank. I think I used some wrong info when I ran the string calculator originally, but now I'm getting an answer that I can hook 3 panels in series for 1 string or 2 strings of 2, but not 3 strings of 2 for the 6 panels I have. The specs are
    285watt
    Voc 39.7
    Vmp 31.3
    Isc 9.84
    Imp 9.20
    Temp coeff. Voc -0.163 V/ degree C
    temp coeff. Isc %/ degree C 0.040
    Temp coeff. Pmax %/ degree K -0.300
    Can I connect this using 2 charge controllers, just buy another TriStar MPPT-60 and have each hooked up on a single string of 3, both charging the single battery bank? Or do I need to get a bigger CC and then sell the one I have?
    This is all being connected to an Outback VFX3524 inverter.
    All of the equipment mentioned I have, except the second Tristar MPPT-60 charge controller.
    Please advise.
    6,32 KW solar, net metered, maple syrup producer.
  • Mike90250
    Moderator
    • May 2009
    • 16020

    #2
    The deal killer is 3 panels in series, 39.7 x 3 = 120V @ 70F Take that to a frosty cold temp, and you will exceed the 150V threshold of the controller.

    So, just use 2 panels in series Voc would be 79.4v and even when cold, below the kill voltage.

    TS-MPPT 60 is 60A at 26V, so that would be 1560watts. Your array would seldom (but possibly be able to) exceed that wattage, The TS-MPPT-60 is a pretty rugged controller, and will throttle itself back to stay within safe power range.. I would feel comfortable using those 6 panels wired 2 in series, 3 parallel strings. with it.
    (In fact, I did that last week 5 breakers, and still have to weatherproof the PV joints)
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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    • maple flats
      Solar Fanatic
      • Oct 2011
      • 108

      #3
      The record low there was -35 F back in 1957, but that was back 59 yrs ago. Maybe with global warming I could figure it at more like -20 F?
      6,32 KW solar, net metered, maple syrup producer.

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