Tweet
Hi all,
I'm looking for some help and suggestions on adding some additional panels to my existing array. I currently have 6 Photowatt PW-1650 panels which are 165w each, these are the exact specs for them:
As far as I can tell, the panels now are wired 2 series / 3 parallel
These panels are a few years old, and I can't locate the exact same ones, and replacing them all is just not in the budget right now. What I would like to do is add some more panels (1-3 more) to get a bit more power from the sun. I can't add too many due to cost/space limitations. Can you guys offer some suggestions as to wattage/size/ that I should be looking for? The guy I spoke to at local solar shop said I need to use 300w or 340w panels (which are massive). Is that my only option? Could I go with 2 240watt panels?
Second question is, what would be the best way to wire the new panels into the existing set up? The new panels would ideally be located in a different spot than my current panels, do I need to run the wires back to the combiner box or can I join them at the solar panel breaker box closer to my charge controller?
I've attached a simplified diagram to help explain what I'm thinking... any suggestions here would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Slav
I'm looking for some help and suggestions on adding some additional panels to my existing array. I currently have 6 Photowatt PW-1650 panels which are 165w each, these are the exact specs for them:
| 24v Configuration | |||
| Typical power [W] | 155 | 165 | 175 |
| Minimum power [W] | 150 | 160 | 170 |
| Voltage at typical power [V] | 34 | 34.4 | 35 |
| Current at typical power [A] | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5 |
| Short circuit current [A] | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Open circuit voltage [V] | 43 | 43.2 | 43.4 |
| Max system voltage | 770V DC | ||
As far as I can tell, the panels now are wired 2 series / 3 parallel
These panels are a few years old, and I can't locate the exact same ones, and replacing them all is just not in the budget right now. What I would like to do is add some more panels (1-3 more) to get a bit more power from the sun. I can't add too many due to cost/space limitations. Can you guys offer some suggestions as to wattage/size/ that I should be looking for? The guy I spoke to at local solar shop said I need to use 300w or 340w panels (which are massive). Is that my only option? Could I go with 2 240watt panels?
Second question is, what would be the best way to wire the new panels into the existing set up? The new panels would ideally be located in a different spot than my current panels, do I need to run the wires back to the combiner box or can I join them at the solar panel breaker box closer to my charge controller?
I've attached a simplified diagram to help explain what I'm thinking... any suggestions here would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Slav