I'm planning to expand my solar setup by utilizing my garage roof and the wall between the garage roof and my house. Ideally, I want to install 10 Aiko Comet 2N 630W panels (72-cell) on the roof and 3 Aiko Neostar 2 470W panels (54-cell) on the wall. However, the Comets require s650b SolarEdge optimizers that have a 12.5V startup voltage. I'm worried that this setup might hinder the performance of the smaller wall panels. Should I go ahead with the wall panels, or would it be better to omit them? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
When mixing panels, it's essential to match currents for series connections and voltages for parallel connections. If your new panels don't align well with your existing setup, you might need additional controllers. Optimizers help with shading, but if you’re concerned about costs, consider whether they’re really necessary. If performance is your goal, it might be better to keep things uniform.
Are you adding to an existing SolarEdge setup or starting a new one? Generally, startup voltage isn't critical as long as the panels meet the MPP voltage. So, if your garage roof has sufficient space for 10 Comets and you’re okay with a bit of shading, it could work. Just keep in mind the layout, as multiple types of panels can complicate things a bit.