Where is best location for solar controller
I'm putting together a new solar system for use with my Class C. I had a Renogy 100W solar suitcase which I had extended with a second 100W panel... this worked great until it was stolen this week :(...
Forum Discussion
24V panels are cheaper per watt than 12V, but shipping is costly. People normally pick up 24V at the closest warehouse.
Though I couldn't figure out what Westend said about 24V panel being more efficient (with MPPT) than 2*12V.
Panels that OP is considering, 2*100W, have ~38Vmp in series.
Single 200W panel at 24V is a rarity, a common size is 230W and higher. 230-240W panel would have Voc ~37V, but in MPPT it's Vmp that counts, typically ~31V.
20% more wattage (of 240W panel) will eventually result in more solar harvest, but this is not because of different efficiency of MPPT at 31V vs 38V. Wattage is the king :)
Single 24V is easier to install on the roof than 2*100W, but in a portable this will be more pain yet than 2*100W. You don't want to handle 5x3ft sheet that weighs 40 lbs.
2*100W is not something that I would want to handle, either. But I'm mostly parked in the open, so my panels are on the roof.
Though I couldn't figure out what Westend said about 24V panel being more efficient (with MPPT) than 2*12V.
Panels that OP is considering, 2*100W, have ~38Vmp in series.
Single 200W panel at 24V is a rarity, a common size is 230W and higher. 230-240W panel would have Voc ~37V, but in MPPT it's Vmp that counts, typically ~31V.
20% more wattage (of 240W panel) will eventually result in more solar harvest, but this is not because of different efficiency of MPPT at 31V vs 38V. Wattage is the king :)
Single 24V is easier to install on the roof than 2*100W, but in a portable this will be more pain yet than 2*100W. You don't want to handle 5x3ft sheet that weighs 40 lbs.
2*100W is not something that I would want to handle, either. But I'm mostly parked in the open, so my panels are on the roof.
