Diverting excess solar power to water heater
I'm about to install 1300 watts of solar. During part of the day I should have excess solar power left over. I plan on using the MidNite Solar Classic 150 MPPT controller which allows the excess pow...
Forum Discussion
I still don't get the need to make it complicated by changing heating elements, etc.
If there's so much excess power, run the water heater off the batteries and let the excess power charge them. Yes the 1400watt element will exceed instaneous output of the solar, but what is the average over time? The element does not heat continuously.
Put a relay on the solar controller status output, closed when charging, open when idle, connect to AC feed for water heater. Sun goes away, heater shuts off.
If there's so much excess power, run the water heater off the batteries and let the excess power charge them. Yes the 1400watt element will exceed instaneous output of the solar, but what is the average over time? The element does not heat continuously.
Put a relay on the solar controller status output, closed when charging, open when idle, connect to AC feed for water heater. Sun goes away, heater shuts off.
