Hey everyone! I'm just starting out with solar energy and I'm looking to create a system that I can rely on during power outages, with the potential for upgrades in the future. Here's what I'm considering so far and I would love your thoughts:
1. (2) 12V or (1) 24V 100W solar panel
2. Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller - 100V, 50 amp for 12/24V (around $175)
3. Victron Energy 800VA 24-Volt 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter (approximately $200)
4. (1) 24V 50 to 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery (which I plan to add later)
My plan is to connect the solar panels to the charge controller and then to the inverter. I think the system will only work during sunlight hours, is that right? Also, I'm not sure if I should be looking for different components for the price. Are the second and third items compatible? Lastly, if you have any budget-friendly suggestions for batteries, I would appreciate that!
1 Answer
Great start! You're on the right track with your panel selections. Just remember that solar panels are rated in watts, not volts, so you need to ensure the voltage output stays within the limits for your charge controller. Keep the total panel voltage under 100V and make sure it can handle the cold weather conditions too. It's crucial to stay above the minimum voltage when starting up the charge controller, so watch those specs!
Thanks for the info! So if the charge controller has a Voc of 100V and a minimum starting voltage of Vbat + 5V, then for a 24V battery, I need my solar panel to output between 29V and 100V, right? And thus, a single 24V solar panel wouldn't be enough to get the controller going?