question

Edward avatar image
Edward asked

Solar Charge Controller Advice

I tried to use the online calculators here and other and can't seem to get a output. Ive send emails technical support from my Solar Panel company with little help other than to try to sell me a complete system that I dont want or need.

Just want some friendly advice on Victron Solar Charge Controller for my situation.

550 Total Watts, hooked up in parallel (but could be convinced to switch to Serial)

I have the following:

(2) Go Power MODEL: GP-PV-190M
Output power 190 W
Rated current 9.3 A
Rated DC voltage 19.1 V
Open-circuit voltage 22.5 V

(1) Go Power MODEL: GP-PV-170M
Output power 170 W
Rated current 8.79 A
Rated DC voltage 19.3 V
Open-circuit voltage 22.8 V

Thank you for the assistance

charge controller compatibility
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

5 Answers
Rob Fijn avatar image
Rob Fijn answered ·

To get the most from your 2 + 1 panel, I would use two MPPTs.
Then it all works good.

Rob

1 comment
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Edward avatar image Edward commented ·

Thank you very much for your advice

0 Likes 0 ·
Justin Cook avatar image
Justin Cook answered ·

@robo44, your best bet is a 100/50. 550w/13.5 (12v nominal float voltage)=40.74A to the battery. Realistically speaking, you'll probably never see that much current (those numbers are assuming ideal conditions), but a 30A model would definitely result in clipping under normal conditions, so you'll want to size up to a 50A controller. This'll be suitable for parallel connection of all three or has enough headroom on the v input that you should be able to safely run all three in series if you decided that you want to.

1 comment
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Edward avatar image Edward commented ·

Thank you very much for your advise

0 Likes 0 ·
Matthias Lange - DE avatar image
Matthias Lange - DE answered ·

Where do you have a problem?

On the left is the datasheet and on the right the VE MPPT calculator.

If you have a 24V system, you can use a 100/20.


Can't be used for a 24V system.


gp-pv-190m.png (295.4 KiB)
gp-pv-170m.png (341.2 KiB)
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Edward avatar image
Edward answered ·

Maybe I was unclear - I plan to hook the (3) Three Panels together my array will be ~ 550W

2- 190W + 1 - 170W 12V Battery System. Im pretty sure 30A charge Controller (or less) wont work.


thank you

4 comments
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Matthias Lange - DE avatar image Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·

You should not connect different panels together, that decreases the efficiency.

0 Likes 0 ·
Edward avatar image Edward Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·

I really appreciate your input, yes I know optimal set up is to have all the identical Panels. Unfortunately I dont have a choice to remove the 170W and replace it with another 190W at this time.

I am stuck with (2) 190W GP & (1) 170W GP


I will live with the efficiently drop, hook it up in series or something.

0 Likes 0 ·
Matthias Lange - DE avatar image Matthias Lange - DE ♦ Edward commented ·

ok, then I think you should use a 150/45.

But this would be much more expensive than using a 100/30 for the two 190Wp and a 75/15 for the 170Wp.

150/45 Smart - 500€ + VAT (450€ non-Smart)
100/30 Smart - 230€ + VAT (200€ non-Smart)
75/15 Smart - 120€ + VAT (90€ non-Smart)

0 Likes 0 ·
Edward avatar image Edward Matthias Lange - DE ♦ commented ·

Got it now thank you!!

0 Likes 0 ·
esteban avatar image
esteban answered ·

As far as mixing your panels - it's probably fine in your case - read this to understand configuration options vs. loss:

https://solarpanelsvenue.com/mixing-solar-panels/#squeezemoresolarpower

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Related Resources

Additional resources still need to be added for this topic