Hey everyone! I'm about to move into a new place and I have a lot of ideas for setting up my solar energy system. I wanted to ask if anyone has experience running 20 meters or more of solar cable between panels and batteries. I'm considering several spots for my panels (around 800W), but the distance to my garage or shed is going to be quite long. Also, I've heard about using Power over Ethernet (PoE) for power distribution, and I'm curious if it would make sense to step up from 12V to 48V, using Ethernet cables in the building, and then downconvert again for powering lights that are on for long periods. Any advice?
5 Answers
I'm actually running about 125 feet (around 38 meters) with 10 gauge wire from my panels to the charge controller, so I can say it’s doable! Just consider your setup and use the right gauge to maintain efficiency.
Using an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller is a solid idea! This allows you to connect panels in series, increasing the voltage and reducing amps, which helps efficiency. Just be wary of fake MPPTs because they waste power with PWM. Make sure to get a genuine one for the best performance.
When it comes to solar cable length, it really depends on the voltage and current you're working with. The losses you face are directly proportional to the current, so the higher the voltage, the less energy you lose over long distances. Thicker cables also help minimize those losses! Regarding PoE, it’s typically used for low power applications like cameras or IP phones, so I wouldn't recommend it for anything demanding. It's a bit of a workaround just for small power needs like LED lights.
For solar panel wiring, 10 AWG is pretty standard, but if you're running a longer distance, consider going thicker, maybe even 8 or 12 AWG depending on your setup. The longer the run, the thicker the wire you should use to avoid losing too much power.
You can definitely run cable however far you want, but keep in mind that it might require using larger, more expensive wires. Based on what you've shared, running 20 meters shouldn't be too bad. Just make sure you can calculate the potential power loss with the data you have. As for PoE, it's not ideal since it involves double conversion and can lead to inefficiencies.
Exactly! If you're only powering small LEDs, PoE might work, but it’s not the best for heavier loads. You're much better off with a solid solar setup!