Morningstar 30M or Outback 60 for Evergreen 205s

[Deepsouth]

Which controller should i use? I was told that the voltage on the Evergreen panels make an MPPT controller a necessity? Is that true? Is it worth spending the extra $400 for the Outback. I only have 2 205 pannels. Here is the info on the Panels.

Module
ES-A-205-FA3

Power - STC (peak)
watts
205

Power - PTC
watts
185.4

Peak power voltage
volts
18.2

Peak power current
amps
11.27

Open circuit voltage
volts
22.7

Short circuit current
amps
11.93

Max. system voltage
volts
600

Series fuse rating
amps
20

Length
inch (mm)
65.0 (1651)

Width
inch (mm)
37.5 (953)

[Mike90250]

I assume your battery bank is 12V ?? The evergreen's 18.2V in parrallel is well suited for plain PWM controllers, or you could put 2 in series to save wire (copper costs) and use a MPPT controller.

[Deepsouth]

I assume your battery bank is 12V ?? The evergreen's 18.2V in parrallel is well suited for plain PWM controllers, or you could put 2 in series to save wire (copper costs) and use a MPPT controller.

I haven't purchased the batteries yet, but I was planning on the bank being 12v. So you think that I would be ok with the morningstar 30m controller then? Why is it well suited for it if wired in paralel? I thought that wiring it in paralell would double the amps and keep the voltage the same? I was thinking the panels being 18.2 volt would be a negative for the controller, since it is 12volt? Also, how do you like your evergreen panels?

thanks

[Mike90250]

I was thinking the panels being 18.2 volt would be a negative for the controller, since it is 12volt?

Several volts are "lost" in the controller, wires, and battery inefficiencies, and actually, 18V is a good voltage to feed a 12V controller. The battery, when nearly full, will be charged with 15V or more. Less than 17V panels, you will not get a full charge.

My panels are less than a year old, but doing well. I hope they continue. Evergreen stock is down to $0.65 (65 cents / share), I may not be able to get replacements.

[Deepsouth]

Several volts are "lost" in the controller, wires, and battery inefficiencies, and actually, 18V is a good voltage to feed a 12V controller. The battery, when nearly full, will be charged with 15V or more. Less than 17V panels, you will not get a full charge.

My panels are less than a year old, but doing well. I hope they continue. Evergreen stock is down to $0.65 (65 cents / share), I may not be able to get replacements.

Yeah I read that they are on the verge of bankruptcy. I purchased the panels for around $1.75 a watt with shipping, so it made it worth while. They are blemished panels, but they are UL certified. Would it be difficult to attach them using a grid tie inverter since the panels volts are low?

[Mike90250]

... They are blemished panels, but they are UL certified. Would it be difficult to attach them using a grid tie inverter since the panels volts are low?

Blemished is good, why pay for looks for something that 40' away, you'll never see the blemish.


Not difficult at all. You just need enough in series to get to the 350 volts or so, that's needed to activate the GT inverter. Each mfg has a "sizer chart" for their inverters, and you should use that to calculate the acceptable range of panels for inverter.

[Deepsouth]

I purchased a few golf cart batteries today. They were 220ah 6v. They were only $70 at Sams club. I'm still torn on just making the system grid tie. The problem is we don't have anyone around here that can install the system. I was figuring that I could install a small off grid system diy. I'm thinking that I probably wouldn't have the roof space to setup a 2-3k grid tie system. I'm thinking a 600-1k grid tie might be a waste.

[Mike90250]

I'm thinking a 600-1k grid tie might be a waste.

Not likely. In a few years, when the smart grid infiltrates all areas, you will be paying a tiered electric rate. first 10 KW are 10 cents, next 5 are 15 cents, next 35cents, next 55cents. The PV will reduce your rate, and generally, shave the higher tiers off first.

Conservation saves even more !

[russ]

As Mike indicates but to go a bit farther - the only sure things are death & taxes plus energy is going to become more expensive in years to come.

It will probably be substantially more expensive as the years pass - not just a little.

[Deepsouth]

Ok so a small grid tie system isn't a waste then. What Inverter would you recommend for this size setup though? I understand that all of the plug in the wall inverters aren't UL or energy company approved. Any good recommendations for a grid tie inverter that will work for a 620-1200kwh install?

[Mike90250]

I like the xantrex GT series, fanless, lots of comm/logging options. The small one is 2.8KW, http://store.solar-electric.com/xagt25grties.html the sizer page
http://www.schneider-electric.com/si...!NNM3:Xantrex# or http://www.se-renbu.com/support/gtsizing/Default.aspx
shows you need 13 panels, to get to the min start-up voltage.

[Deepsouth]

I decided to get a morningstar 30m charge controller. I was able to find a new one shipped for $150 with the meter. It will give me something to mess around with until I feel more comfortable with solar. When it is time to upgrade I can keep it or sell it. I would have loved an MPPT controller, but didn't want to spend the cash since i'm still on the fence. I will stick to the 2 205 watt evergreen panels for now. The final thing I need is the inverter. I'm looking for something under $100 just to get me started. I might go up higher than that though. If all goes well I can really expand/upgrade everything later.

Any recommendations on an inverter at this price point?

[Mike90250]

As long as you are going cut-rate on the inverter, a $25, 300W mod-square wave from a car parts store will make your TV and fan motor buzz as well as a $99 300W mod-square wave inverter.
A very good, efficient sine wave inverter (MS suresine, $300/300W) would likely serve you better, but it has a price to acompany its warranty.

[Deepsouth]

Yeah I'm hoping that I didn't make a mistake with getting the morningstar over the outback mppt.

[Deepsouth]

As long as you are going cut-rate on the inverter, a $25, 300W mod-square wave from a car parts store will make your TV and fan motor buzz as well as a $99 300W mod-square wave inverter.
A very good, efficient sine wave inverter (MS suresine, $300/300W) would likely serve you better, but it has a price to acompany its warranty.

Do you have your morningstar inverter wired into outlets in your house or do you just have a surge protector on it? Edited - never mind I see that you wired it to an outlet in your garage via one of your pictures.