Domestic panels v RV panels

bgt · Guru

Domestic panels v RV panels

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

You can.

It is a simple question of choosing the appropriate controller.

Cheers,

Peter

Whenarewethere · Guru

bgt wrote:
What are the technical issues?

Do the best job once!

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

There are no "technical issues".
Many of the off the shelf Victron MPPT solar controllers are quite suitable.
Cheers,
Peter

Jaahn · Guru

Hi bgt smile

Yes you can do that and there are no technical problems. As Peter said just use the correct type of regulator.

In my experience the older made in Australia panels just keep going with a very small drop of output. The cheaper not so old chinese panels can be suspect and can have a high rate of failure. So just test them before reusing any. Cheap as chips these days.

What you do need to know is the nominal voltage they operate at so you know what you are getting. It is all shown on the information sticker on the back of all solar panels. There are nominal 12V panels MPV of around 18V, 24V panels MPV of around 36V, and then others that have MPV around 15V and 30V. They are all usable with the correct selection of controller and correct series or parallel wiring for a 12V or 24V nominal battery bank. But if you do get it mixed up you will not get good battery charging out of them in poorer conditions.

'house panels' may be different MPV because they do not charge batteries normally and are connected in series for higher voltage to be converted to 240VAC. But other than that they are all the same really. Just the number of cells vary.

Jaahn

bgt · Guru

So in reality modern panels aren't any more efficient?

Jaahn · Guru

bgt wrote:
So in reality modern panels aren't any more efficient?

Of course they are a bit more efficient and the old ones are a bit less but less difference than the sales hype would have you believe IMHO.

If you have a very limited space it might matter but generally that is not the limiting factor. The cost and installation is the limiting factor.

I have about 15 old BP solar aussie panels that will go on my next bus in whatever number I can fit on there. I tested them all in full sun when I got them some time back and they all put out approximately the sticker power. Sweet biggrin

Jaahn

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

bgt,
Modern panels are slightly more efficient than the oldies but one of the big differences is weight. The older panels often have stronger frames & glass on front of the cells.
I don't know what the newer panels have on them but they can be cut with HD scissors to put them in a bin for disposal.

The older ones are easy to repair if resoldering melted links is required but by this time they are probably ready for the dump.

beiffe · Guru

Check for recycled Tindo panels, they are very good anad very cheap if you can find them. Old house installations normally 24v.
Have check quite a few and they still seam to produce the stated Watts and Volts.
Seen as cheap as $13 but had to buy about 20 but often less than $100 for 250W.
Putting an extra 2Kw on boat of these and they have all checked Ok after a proper clean etc.
Just be sure that they are all the same voltage if adding in series etc. to one controller (Well that's my understanding)