Yet Another PWM vs MPPT Comparison Test
I was able to run a couple tests with blue sky at same time of year and location as my test from two years ago (flat, tilted, tracking results one) that : A. compares PWM with MPPT, and B. compares ...
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Just an update--it was clear at high noon here at 1315ish, so I took some readings but they don't change the OP results.
Ambient temp 21C
130w panel and 230w panel both pointed South tilted up 30 degrees (at 49.3N lat)
Panel temps : 130 was 52C under and 49C on top, 230 was 45C under and 42C on top using IR therm.
130w panel rating 8.2/21.9 was 8.51/20.4
230w panel rating 8.3/37.0 was 8.59/34.4
Indicating above ratings' STC today, so with low battery voltage you would expect best performance from panels.
130w got the usual Isc or a bit more, 8.3a
230w (had to run loads to drop batt voltage) 12.6v/15.33a/196w on controller readout. Was 12.1v/ 15.72a/190w
Seems my 230w Hanwha panel and Eco-Worthy 20a MPPT controller can do about 15 1/2 amps normally expected. ( I have seen 18.x amps but only for a moment in edge of cloud effect where it sat in the 17s for several minutes. Also showed near 230w---Drat! I was hoping for 17a every day. Oh well, I suppose MPPT 15.5a is better than PWM and 14.5a Whoopee-do! :(
Ambient temp 21C
130w panel and 230w panel both pointed South tilted up 30 degrees (at 49.3N lat)
Panel temps : 130 was 52C under and 49C on top, 230 was 45C under and 42C on top using IR therm.
130w panel rating 8.2/21.9 was 8.51/20.4
230w panel rating 8.3/37.0 was 8.59/34.4
Indicating above ratings' STC today, so with low battery voltage you would expect best performance from panels.
130w got the usual Isc or a bit more, 8.3a
230w (had to run loads to drop batt voltage) 12.6v/15.33a/196w on controller readout. Was 12.1v/ 15.72a/190w
Seems my 230w Hanwha panel and Eco-Worthy 20a MPPT controller can do about 15 1/2 amps normally expected. ( I have seen 18.x amps but only for a moment in edge of cloud effect where it sat in the 17s for several minutes. Also showed near 230w---Drat! I was hoping for 17a every day. Oh well, I suppose MPPT 15.5a is better than PWM and 14.5a Whoopee-do! :(
