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Large Solar Panels
The large solar panel category includes modules from 50 Watts and up. Generally modules of 125 Watts and under are 12V nominal and may be wired at 12, 24, 48 or higher voltages by putting them in series. The modules 130W and up are generally 24V nominal or more and so may only be used for 24V or higher arrays. There are some newer modules which have nominal voltages different than the traditional 12 or 24. These are a result of different form factors using a different number of cells. Generally modules of unusual voltages are intended for grid-tie systems which operate at much higher voltages than battery systems. Modules of unusual voltages may also be used with batteries with the OutBack MX60 charge controller, as long as the array voltage is higher than the battery voltage and lower than the maximum the MX60 can handle.
Please call for availability and pricing of modules - this is always changing and we offer additional products not on the website yet.
Should you wire your array at a higher voltage than your battery bank? Generally this depends on the battery bank voltage, the distance to the array, and the expected temperatures. Normally we use a 48V battery and a 48V array for off-grid systems. This has the advantage of avoiding the small efficiency penalty from a voltage step-down, and keeps things standardized. In our climate a 72V array may have an open circuit voltage greater than the MX60 limit of 140V. In extremely hot climates a 72V array may help avoid an undervoltage condition arising from extreme heat. A 60V array using strings of five 12V panels is also an excellent option.
Please call for availability and pricing of modules - this is always changing and we offer additional products not on the website yet.
Should you wire your array at a higher voltage than your battery bank? Generally this depends on the battery bank voltage, the distance to the array, and the expected temperatures. Normally we use a 48V battery and a 48V array for off-grid systems. This has the advantage of avoiding the small efficiency penalty from a voltage step-down, and keeps things standardized. In our climate a 72V array may have an open circuit voltage greater than the MX60 limit of 140V. In extremely hot climates a 72V array may help avoid an undervoltage condition arising from extreme heat. A 60V array using strings of five 12V panels is also an excellent option.
