Solar power

[Olderisbetter]

I have a 440 watt solar panel to play with, I have no control gear but I do have a leisure battery, any recommendations on what to look out for, I know it's not going to.power my house but if it did some outside lights I would be happy

 

[voipio]

The missing part of the puzzle is an MPPT charge controller. Something like this:

Y&H MPPT Solar Charge Controller 100A 12V/24V Car Focus Tracking Solar Panel Charge Controller with Dual USB Port, LCD Display : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Y&H MPPT Solar Charge Controller 100A 12V/24V Car Focus Tracking Solar Panel Charge Controller with Dual USB Port, LCD Display : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

www.amazon.co.uk

It has three pairs of connectors. Two for the solar panel, two for the 12V battery, and two for the load.

A 440 W panel and battery would easily power outside lights, even in the winter. Probably about 20W worth of lighting, all night.

 

[J1nx]

That MPPT will not be suitable for that panel, the Voc is too high if it’s for a 12v battery.

To charge a 12V battery, the working voltage of the solar panel can be between 17V and 23V(Voc), and for a 24V battery, the working voltage of the solar panel can be between 36V and 46V.(Voc) Please make sure that the working voltage of the power supply and solar panels are within this range. If it is too high, the controller will be damaged.

 

[gaz1]

i wouldnt bother with just one panel

but id be looking at getting the gear to either extend the system to be bigger, buying just the gear for just one solar panel its kinda pointless

anyway id though you had plans to make a bigger system and yet you can do that with siting yor sheds in the right place to pick up more of the sun that what your garage roof can pick up ?

 

[Misterg]

I have a 440 watt solar panel to play with, I have no control gear but I do have a leisure battery, any recommendations on what to look out for, I know it's not going to.power my house but if it did some outside lights I would be happy

Quality option would be a Victron 75/15 MPPT regulator.

e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253040051903

You could probably find something cheaper. (Rolls Royce option would be the Smart Solar version of the same thing with Bluetooth that allows you to track performance with your phone.)

The 160W panel on our camper powers a compressor fridge from March - October, so I'm sure you could run something worthwhile from 440W.

(The 'Load' connection can be configured to switch on when the sun goes down, so would be perfect for outside lights. It'll also switch them off if the battery gets too low.)

 

[Olderisbetter]

Quality option would be a Victron 75/15 MPPT regulator.

e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253040051903

You could probably find something cheaper. (Rolls Royce option would be the Smart Solar version of the same thing with Bluetooth that allows you to track performance with your phone.)

The 160W panel on our camper powers a compressor fridge from March - October, so I'm sure you could run something worthwhile from 440W.

(The 'Load' connection can be configured to switch on when the sun goes down, so would be perfect for outside lights. It'll also switch them off if the battery gets too low.)

Thanks I will look at that and see what I can do with it

 

[Olderisbetter]

i wouldnt bother with just one panel

but id be looking at getting the gear to either extend the system to be bigger, buying just the gear for just one solar panel its kinda pointless

anyway id though you had plans to make a bigger system and yet you can do that with siting yor sheds in the right place to pick up more of the sun that what your garage roof can pick up ?

At the moment I am just playing with this panel but we have plans to get a few on the roof and sheds at some point.

 

[gaz1]

Thanks I will look at that and see what I can do with it

you cant use that as the s p gives out way too much wattage

200w and yours is double that at 440w

 

[Misterg]

Thanks I will look at that and see what I can do with it

Oops!

As per @gaz1's post, that one is too small. You would need something with >35A output such as the 100/50:

Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 100/50 - SCC020050200

BMS Technologies LTD are leading Victron Energy distributors offering free delivery throughout the UK. Free technical advice on BlueSolar charge controllers.

www.bmstechnologies.co.uk

(A fair bit more expensive.)

At the moment I am just playing with this panel but we have plans to get a few on the roof and sheds at some point.

In which case, it would be worth buying a suitable controller now (IMHO).

 

[gaz1]

there is one main question you need to ask yourself which is cheaper

12v
24v
48v

it also has an impact on cable size as well 10mm copper wire is expensive

 

[Gareth J]

I know it's not what you asked but just for something to think about/compare.

A micro inverter like this;

Pardon our interruption...

Will grid tie your panel.

At only 400W, due to a realistic base load of a house, you'll probably be able to use almost all of its output. Which, if well sited, will be potentially about 400kWh per year.

At ~30p per kWh, that's potentially a saving of ~£100 per year.

Then, just wire in ordinary led garden lights.

 

[J1nx]

you cant use that as the s p gives out way too much wattage

200w and yours is double that at 440w

It’s not ideal but it can be used. Don’t use power/Watts. These MPPTs are sensitive to voltage limits, exceed these and they will pop, exceed the current rating and it will limit. It’s infact quite common to ‘over panel’, giving a flatter output curve and giving better production in winter months whilst keeping the cost down.

Victron are the gold standard, great kit and worth the investment imo.