Hey everyone! I'm new to DIY projects and recently set up a solar pump system that includes an EcoWorthy dual-axis solar tracker, six 195w solar panels, a Sungoldpower 8kw inverter charger, and a couple of 100ah batteries. I've been happily using this system for a couple of weeks, and the tracker seems to work well, always facing the sun. However, I'm seeing some puzzling performance results: I'm only getting about 950w at peak from my 1200w system. By 5pm, even with perfect weather, that drops to 600w. Is that usual? Also, my inverter is constantly drawing 95w, which feels wasteful. Are there more efficient inverters that can shut down at night? My batteries seem to drop to 43% quickly in the evenings and stay there, while my pump shows a draw of 2500w, which seems high for a 2hp pump. If anyone has insights or advice, I'd really appreciate it!
2 Answers
Your system seems to be working pretty much within expected range. Getting 950W from a 1200W setup is not unusual; real-world conditions typically yield about 75-80% of lab ratings even with a tracker. As for zero output after sunset, this is standard; once the sun goes down, your MPPT stops functioning below a certain voltage. Concerning the inverter, 95W idle usage is typical for larger units like yours. You might want to invest in a programmable relay or a smart contactor to shut it down at night to help save those precious battery reserves. And regarding your pump, seeing a 2500W draw is pretty common; 2hp pumps can surge 2 to 2.5 times their rated power, so keep your wiring at least 10 AWG or even 8 AWG for safety, especially if it's a long run. You're doing great overall!
For your wattage question, try using an app like "Light Meter" to measure sunlight intensity. Panels usually perform best at around 100-120k lux, and you'll notice they produce less power under lower light conditions. As for the inverter’s 95w draw, that's fairly common for larger units. The efficiency can vary; high-end models might lower the draw to about 80w. Just remember, pumps often have a non-ideal power factor, which can affect performance. Do you know about power factors? It's crucial for understanding how your systems interact! Also, it’s often cheaper to add more panels than rely solely on trackers. You might consider setting them in two series pointing east and west instead. By the way, your solar voltage is just around the MPPT cut-off, so double-check if your panels are the right fit!
Great points! I never thought about using a light meter!
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely check my wiring!