Hey everyone! I've set up a system with two EcoWorthy 48v server rack batteries and six bifacial solar panels (should be around 395 watts each, I think they're Hyperion) that have a VOC of 37 each. I also have a Growatt SPF 3000TL LVM-ES inverter. From what I remember, the inverter's VOC range is 120-250. If I connect the six panels in series, I'll get a total VOC of 222, which seems pretty close to that 250 max. Is that risky enough for surges, especially in cooler weather?
Also, I'm looking for suggestions on where to buy a shutoff switch between the solar array and the inverter. Do I need a shutoff between the batteries and the inverter too, considering they have their own breakers? Thanks for any help!
2 Answers
You're in good shape with that voltage! Panels typically won’t exceed their VOC rating even in freezing conditions. Realistically, you won’t hit that max VOC in practice—around 10% lower is more common. So yes, you should be fine!
Thanks for clearing that up! Should I go ahead and wire them in series then?
You’ve got a solid setup! With 222 VOC, you’re still within a safe range, so it should work just fine. If it gets really cold, you might want to consider bypassing one panel just to be on the safe side.
Actually, that’s a bit misleading. VOC ratings are usually given at 20°C. In colder weather, the VOC can exceed that due to thermal coefficients. For instance, a panel rated at 45 VOC at 20°C could reach up to 50 VOC at lower temperatures. But since you have enough headroom on your inverter, it should be okay! Just double-check those temperature coefficients.