Eco-Worthy 12v solar panels, Now drifting to... mono vs poly
When I search here, the only Ecoworthy results I get are for their controllers. Does anyone have any experience with their 12v panels?
Forum Discussion
jr, for maximum value start with a cheap PWM controller and nominal 12V (~18V) panels. Make them somehow portable, even if only to lean against your RV. Run these for a year and then figure out what the ideal system would be, and spend your big money and drill holes for that.
I wish I'd done this, I'd be $1500 richer right now. My Kyocera 315 panels and my FlexMax 80 are nothing but museum pieces, while my Renogy portables and cheap PWM actually get the job done. If I buy enough Renogy panels to bump the voltage, maybe I can get some use out of the Flexmax. But until then I've basically pineconed myself.
Consider:
--"Cost per amp" of panel at 12v PWM. Now SUBTRACT the cost savings of PWM vs MPPT.
--"Amps per square foot" of panel at 12v PWM. These are "actual amps" vs "potential amp gains" of MPPT, subject to heat loss, light clouds, etc etc etc.
Dont spend $500 additional on an MPPT (it really IS MPPT) controller than cannot possibly harvest an extra $500 worth of power over its service life.
I wish I'd done this, I'd be $1500 richer right now. My Kyocera 315 panels and my FlexMax 80 are nothing but museum pieces, while my Renogy portables and cheap PWM actually get the job done. If I buy enough Renogy panels to bump the voltage, maybe I can get some use out of the Flexmax. But until then I've basically pineconed myself.
Consider:
--"Cost per amp" of panel at 12v PWM. Now SUBTRACT the cost savings of PWM vs MPPT.
--"Amps per square foot" of panel at 12v PWM. These are "actual amps" vs "potential amp gains" of MPPT, subject to heat loss, light clouds, etc etc etc.
Dont spend $500 additional on an MPPT (it really IS MPPT) controller than cannot possibly harvest an extra $500 worth of power over its service life.
