Solar Panel Controller Advise

Tom and Esox are incorrect.
The controller is a 20 amp controller. That is it's output rating regardless of voltage. So, at 12v it is capable roughly of 12v x 20 amps or 240 watts. At 24v it is capable of roughly 24v x 20 amps or 480 watts. Their figures of 260 and 520 take into account that at charge the voltage would be higher than the nominal voltage. 260/12 = 13v and 520/24 = 26 volts.
So, if used with this 280 watt panel on a 12 volt system the controller's output will be limited to 20 amps which will sacrifice a few watts under certain conditions.
That's probably not a big deal if the controller is really cheap. But, for my money I'd be looking at a Blue Sky or Morningstar controller.

westend wrote:
The input rating of the controller is 20w less than the output of the module. That may or may not be a problem but you may want to check with Tracer before mating to that panel.

Its a 24 volt nominal panel. You are citing the controller's 12 volt specification.

Looks like you are good to go, good luck!

westend wrote:
The input rating of the controller is 20w less than the output of the module. That may or may not be a problem but you may want to check with Tracer before mating to that panel.

The panel is 24 volt. The controller is rated 520 watts for 24 volt so there would be no problem.

The input rating of the controller is 20w less than the output of the module. That may or may not be a problem but you may want to check with Tracer before mating to that panel.

Hi,

I'd buy just the panel and go for a more sophisticated charge controller--one that would allow me to add a 2nd panel and that has temperature control.

Remember that panels can sometimes be had for 0.75 cents per watt now.

That controller is a good choice for that panel so you should be good there.