Hey everyone! I'm finally getting my DIY solar system up and running after a couple of years of building it out. I wanted to share my current setup and my plans for expansion to see what you all think.
Here's what I have so far:
- Xantrex Freedom 2000 12v
- Epever 4210AN 100v/40a
- 8 Duracell Group 31 12v 105Ah batteries (wired in 2/0 parallel)
- 2 Trina Solar 250w panels (30.3v 8.28a, wired in series for 60.6v 8.28a)
Currently, I run a Honda 2000 generator for charging on cloudy days, which is often in Alaska. My goal is to rely on solar power alone, so I'm expanding my system:
- Xantrex Freedom 2000 12v (staying the same)
- 2 Epever 4210AN 100v/40a charge controllers
- 8 Duracell Group 31 12v 105Ah batteries (still the same)
- 4 Trina Solar 250w panels (30.3v 8.28a)
- 4 Msolar 400w panels (37.7v 12.9a)
Each set of four panels will have its own charge controller and be wired in a series-parallel configuration. I'm aware that some might say I'm pushing the limits with this many panels for a 12v system, but I'm hoping the additional charge controller will help manage that.
I need more panels because winter in Alaska can be very dark, but summer offers nearly 20 hours of sunlight. If necessary, I'm open to converting to a 24v system, although I'd prefer to stick with 12v to avoid buying a new inverter.
I'd really appreciate any feedback or suggestions to ensure I'm being safe with this setup. Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
Looks like you're on the right track! It’s great that you’ve considered the heating for your batteries—they work best when kept warm. As for your setup, your concern about whether you have too many panels is valid, but if you manage the load with the controllers, it should be fine. Just keep an eye on the total voltage coming in to avoid overloading your system. You might also want to think about the 24v upgrade if you find your 12v setup isn’t cutting it during the cloudy months.
I think your system looks solid! As long as you monitor everything closely with the additional charge controller, you should be good to go. Just make sure your wiring is up to the load you're planning to handle. If you don’t have special requirements for 12v, upgrading to 24v in the long run could save you trouble down the line, especially with the efficiency of charging during those long Alaskan winters!