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A PV question | 4 comments (4 topical, editorial)

Re: A PV question (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by electronbaby (roy<at>windsine.org) on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 at 08:42:51 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.windsine.org

what equipment does your system use? do you have a wind turbine also?

If there is no wind involved, and its just PV, then a conventional PWM charge controller will do just fine. This allows the PV module to go open circuit when the batteries are satisfied. If you want to get fancy, you could add MPPT to squeeze a little more power out of the array, but with 160w, it does not pay to do that just yet.

PV can be shorted and open with no damage to them so I dont think you should be concerned with the longevity issue there. I would be concerned with the longevity of your batteries by use of a dump controller.

BUT, if there is no wind turbine, then there is no use for a dump controller.

Again, if you are using just PV, stick with a PWM charge controller. You will be fine.
Have Fun!! RoyR KB2UHF

Re: A PV question (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by Ungrounded Lightning Rod on Thu Sep 11th, 2008 at 09:52:44 PM MST
(User Info)

Leaving the panel driving a load results in less heating of the panel than either opening or shorting it. The power that would drive a load heats the panel instead in either of the don't-drive cases.

Since the power to the load is about 15% or so of the total sunpower absorbed by the panel - and all the rest heats it, too - it doesn't make a lot of difference.

So since you've already got a dump load hooked up I'd say leave the panel driving the load and let it run slightly cooler.

[ Parent ]

A PV question | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial)

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