Solar Panel Half Cell Discussion

CA Traveler wrote:

My take is that the split cell panels and new MPPT controller will cost more and produce lower shade power for series panels for the RV environment. Parallel panel power will have no improvement vs the full cell environment.

ahh, I see, I missed it. The panels are nothing new, but it is the controller that is new. I was just trying to search, and I don't see any dual peek MPPT controllers for sale, so personally I am not going to worry about it until they are for sale.

What I do see though, is it shouldn't be too much more than the cost for a normal MPPT once all the other companies start doing it. If it isn't too much more (probably still be cheaper than a PWM Victron ;) ) I defiantly will get one as it looks like it will help quite a bit in partial shading. I think this would be more of a fit for rv's with fixed panels than residential as normally when you set up a residential solar array it is in a clearing or on the roof with no obstructions. I guess int he case where the neighbor has lots of tall trees it would help also...

I missed the part about series parallel, that's a tricky one.. the video only takes about 1 panel but even in series I think it might help, my reason being if the normal one shuts down the bypass and only delivers 5 ish volts through for example then you are only adding 10 volts to the next panel in series so let's pick 28V as a full output and two in series that would give you 33v. but if you have this "new MPPT" then the first panel will give you let's say 18V (I'm making up the numbers so don't quote me) so that would give you 46V total. if I am thinking right, I'll have to do some more reading yet, but these should be great for campers who are in partial shade depending on the time of day.