will an over sized micro-inverter still provide MPPT with an undersized panel?

[B_Known]

I am sure this all may have been asked, i have been unable to find the answers. will a say, 500 watt micro inverter with MPPT still provide MPPT with a 300 watt panel? can panels be wired in series or parallel and hooked to the grid tie micro-inverters ? im sure MPPT would not work but what would its determining value be? Thank you in advance for your patience and help, i am trying to make sure i have a good understanding before making a purchase . best regards b-known

[Naptown]

I know of no 500W microinverters
Please provide a manufacturer and model number

[B_Known]

I know of no 500W microinverters
Please provide a manufacturer and model number

I was just using it as an example, sorry for the confusion..I am trying to get a better understanding of them before i purchase anything..

[pleppik]

I know of no 500W microinverters
Please provide a manufacturer and model number

Google found me the AltEnergy YC-500. It looks like it's essentially two 250W inverters in the same case, since it has two DC inputs with independent MPPT. Here's a link to the data sheet.

Anyone heard of this company before?

[B_Known]

Google found me the AltEnergy YC-500. It looks like it's essentially two 250W inverters in the same case, since it has two DC inputs with independent MPPT. Here's a link to the data sheet.

Anyone heard of this company before?

I posted ?s to see if I could get some help, I used 500watt for an example, that is all.

[pleppik]

I posted ?s to see if I could get some help, I used 500watt for an example, that is all.

Sorry; I just tend to get really curious about things I haven't heard of before. I apologize for inadvertently trying to push this thread off on a tangent.

I believe the answer to your original question is "Yes," within certain limits. The panel has to provide enough power to power up the microinverter, but once you've passed that threshold it will provide MPPT tracking, though perhaps at slightly reduced efficiency. Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe the usual reason not to buy a microinverter much larger than your panel is because larger inverters are more expensive and it's a waste of money.

So with that out of the way….anyone heard of these AltEnergy guys? And what's the deal with the two-headed microinverter anyway?

[B_Known]

Sorry; I just tend to get really curious about things I haven't heard of before. I apologize for inadvertently trying to push this thread off on a tangent.

I believe the answer to your original question is "Yes," within certain limits. The panel has to provide enough power to power up the microinverter, but once you've passed that threshold it will provide MPPT tracking, though perhaps at slightly reduced efficiency. Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe the usual reason not to buy a microinverter much larger than your panel is because larger inverters are more expensive and it's a waste of money.

So with that out of the way….anyone heard of these AltEnergy guys? And what's the deal with the two-headed microinverter anyway?

Thanks for the reply, as for the altenergy, i emailed them and asked for a valid phone number, a price list and more company info. If i hear back i will post what i get in return from them.

[inetdog]

I am sure this all may have been asked, i have been unable to find the answers. will a say, 500 watt micro inverter with MPPT still provide MPPT with a 300 watt panel? can panels be wired in series or parallel and hooked to the grid tie micro-inverters ? im sure MPPT would not work but what would its determining value be? Thank you in advance for your patience and help, i am trying to make sure i have a good understanding before making a purchase . best regards b-known

The nature of an MPPT input circuit is that it will extract as much power from the panel as is available in the light conditions of the moment.
It cannot tell a 500 watt panel in less than full light from a 300 watt panel in full light.
It will work just fine in getting the maximum power possible out of a 300W panel, but that amount will naturally be 300W or less.

As for putting panels in series or in parallel, you need to start with two panels that have either their Imp or their Vmp within 5% of each other (and same incident light and orientation.)
If the two panels match in Vmp you can put them in parallel. If they match in Imp you can put them in series.
Whether you can actually use one combination or the other depends on what the voltage and current limits of the MPPT input are.

[B_Known]

The nature of an MPPT input circuit is that it will extract as much power from the panel as is available in the light conditions of the moment.
It cannot tell a 500 watt panel in less than full light from a 300 watt panel in full light.
It will work just fine in getting the maximum power possible out of a 300W panel, but that amount will naturally be 300W or less.

As for putting panels in series or in parallel, you need to start with two panels that have either their Imp or their Vmp within 5% of each other (and same incident light and orientation.)
If the two panels match in Vmp you can put them in parallel. If they match in Imp you can put them in series.
Whether you can actually use one combination or the other depends on what the voltage and current limits of the MPPT input are.

Inetdog, thank you for the informnation, i thought that is how it worked but did not want to assume anything, as solar power seems to be confusing with all the little things that have been pointed out to me.

[B_Known]

Sorry; I just tend to get really curious about things I haven't heard of before. I apologize for inadvertently trying to push this thread off on a tangent.

I believe the answer to your original question is "Yes," within certain limits. The panel has to provide enough power to power up the microinverter, but once you've passed that threshold it will provide MPPT tracking, though perhaps at slightly reduced efficiency. Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe the usual reason not to buy a microinverter much larger than your panel is because larger inverters are more expensive and it's a waste of money.

So with that out of the way….anyone heard of these AltEnergy guys? And what's the deal with the two-headed microinverter anyway?

I have gotten a reply from the altenergy company (no price list, but i requested it again)

If anyone is still interested in the information that they have sent to me i would be happy to post it for you. or can forward the complete email to you if you would like..

[russ]

I have gotten a reply from the altenergy company (no price list, but i requested it again)

If anyone is still interested in the information that they have sent to me i would be happy to post it for you. or can forward the complete email to you if you would like..

It would be interesting.

[B_Known]

Thank you for your interest and attention to APS Micro-inverter!

APS datasheet is enclosed for you.

YC500 is best seller in the world.

How many units do you need?

Where are you from?



Have a nice day!



Sophia



logo1

Sophia Yang

Sales Manager

Altenergy Power System Inc.

Add: Rm.B403 No.188,Zhangyang Rd,Pudong,Shanghai 200120,China

Website: www.solaraps.com ; //www.altenergy-power.com

Tel: +86-21-33928205 ext 8016 Fax: +86-21-33928752

Mobile: +86-13636626163

Skype: sophiayangf

E-mail: sophia.yang@altenergy-power.com

[B_Known]

I hope i posted it correctly, can i get someone to confirm that it posted with the attached pdf correctly plz? I am still learning how to use this forum thanks..

[inetdog]

I hope i posted it correctly, can i get someone to confirm that it posted with the attached pdf correctly plz? I am still learning how to use this forum thanks..

PDF came through fine....

[B_Known]

being far outside my scope, what do you think about their products from what you see so far?