Off-grid Solar Setup - 16 x 210W solar panels in Series or Parallel?

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  • Hawlinz
    Junior Member
    • Jun 2019
    • 5
    #1

    Off-grid Solar Setup - 16 x 210W solar panels in Series or Parallel?

    Hello,

    I am brand new to the forum and the solar world, so apologies that my question has probably been covered many times before...

    My question is regarding series connection of solar panels, which I believe I have the answer...I just need reassurance from the experts

    Our setup is as follows (I have only erected the solar panels, so we are at the beginning with loads more work to follow). We live in Southern Europe with over 300 days sunshine.

    16 x Tenesol 210w solar panels
    29.7v vmp
    7.10a imp
    36.20v voc
    10a max service fuse rate

    Hybrid 5000w inverter 48v
    MPPT 80a charging current
    145vdc (max PV array open circuit voltage)
    64-130vdc (PV Array MPPT voltage range)
    34vdc (min battery voltage for PV charge)

    BYD 5000w Lithium battery box


    Genergy Guardian S6-Sol 6000w generator backup for very bad weather.


    I suspect we should have 4 x solar panels in series? 4 x 29.7v = 118.8v @ 7.10a?
    But do I simply connect each of the 4 x positive and 4 x negative series connections into one with a joining connector, then to a circuit breaker before the inverter?

    Or do you guys have a better suggestion?

    Also, do I use the standard solar cabling for the PV series cables to the inverter or worth investing in AWG 6? Considering the low amperage standard solar cables should be ok?

    Some information from the inverter manual is attached below.

    Thanks in advance!

    Regards

    Rob

    ​ ​ manual2.JPG
    Tags: off grid, solar panel array design, wiring
    • littleharbor
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2016
      • 1998
      #2
      I would wire in series only 3 panels because the maximum voltage limits require the Voc. voltage numbers, not the Vmp.
      You seem confused with how to wire in series. Series wiring is actually the simplest way to configure your panels because you don't need any parallel branch connectors and in many situations no fusing and combiner box. In your case you need 5 strings of 3 panels and a fused combiner. you will have one extra panel.

      Series wired solar panels.jpgparallelDiagram_updated.jpg
      2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

        Comment

        • Hawlinz
          Junior Member
          • Jun 2019
          • 5
          #3
          Thanks for your reply.

          I am learning more and more about this interesting world! Thanks for taking the time to help!

          Ok, understood about PV wiring in series. What if I added two additional panels to make 6 strings of 3 panels to a fused combiner? So 18 x panels in total.

          Do you have any recommendations for the fused combiner? and fuse size?

            Comment

            • Mike90250
              Moderator
              • May 2009
              • 16020
              #4
              Slow down, stop buying stuff.

              From the questions you are asking, you really need an on-site mentor to help you. Get the book (or eBook) Solar Power for Dummies. Read it a couple times, read the manuals for your gear a couple times too.

              You can only wire 3 panels in series, not 4, or you will fry your charge controller the first day.

              You need a combiner box for your PV strings. 3 panels in series, 4 groups wired in parallel - via a 4 channel combiner box with fuses ( poor choice) or 150 DC rated 10 A breakers
              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

                Comment

                • Hawlinz
                  Junior Member
                  • Jun 2019
                  • 5
                  #5
                  Sorry Mike, I do need to slow down, but my wife and kids are power hungry
                  Sadly our farm was completely burnt and destroyed in the biggest European forest fire last August.

                  The 4 of us are surviving on a 500w inverter, determination and adventure.

                  eBook already ordered!

                    Comment

                    • Mike90250
                      Moderator
                      • May 2009
                      • 16020
                      #6
                      This is the combiner I used:
                      http://www.midnitesolar.com/productP...tOrder=5&act=p
                      and you would get the 10 amp DC switch rated breakers for it.
                      http://www.midnitesolar.com/productP...tOrder=1&act=p

                      don't use fuses. Breakers are easier, and can be used as a switch for testing each string.

                      I think on the rest of your panel label, you will find a line that says Series Fuse Max ___ Amps. ( should be about 10 - 13A )
                      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

                        Comment

                        • Mike90250
                          Moderator
                          • May 2009
                          • 16020
                          #7
                          What is the battery voltage in your system ? 18 panels will give you nearly 4,000 watts of harvest, so that's going to need a 48V battery system with 80A of charging.

                          24V battery will be 160A of charging and need a 2nd controller

                          12V battery not possible because of safety concerns.
                          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

                            Comment

                            • Hawlinz
                              Junior Member
                              • Jun 2019
                              • 5
                              #8
                              The battery voltage is 48v.

                              The back of the solar panel label shows 10amps Max series fuse.

                              Noted about the breakers, I will have to check locally if they can offer a similar combiner.

                              Mike, should I go for 18 solar panels total using 3 in series?

                              Here is the label for the panels, the information printed on the right side isn't completely lined up which looks wrong.

                              solar label.JPG

                                Comment

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