24 volt solar panel, 12 volt inverter/charger, batteries

[dougo33]

how can i take advantage of a free 185 watt, 24 volt solar panel, when my existing system is a 12 volt sytem. i have a xantrex dr series inverter/charger 12 volt, my battery bank is now 12 volt. What can i do?

[scott h]

hello what i did for my 150 watt solar panel is i bought a bz mppt controller for like 99 dollers dont remember where i think it was good for 250 watts been running for a yaer or better with no trouble it is 24 volts in and 12 out to the battery bank good luck scott h

[jimjjnn]

Some 24v panels have a jumper in the junction box thAT CAN BE MOVED FOR 12V OPS.

check and see if it can be reconfigured can

[ghurd]

Some others need a couple jumpers moved around.

G-

[Frank06]

Any kind of MPPT controller will do that job - reconfiguring the panel (if possible) is obviously the cheapest solution but you might get more power out of a MPPT controller.  I use an MX60 but that's overkill for a single panel.

[dinges]

Several options, as explained.

And then there's ofcourse the obvious one:

sell 24V panel, buy a 12V one.

Apart from these options, have you considered switching over to a 24V system? Batteries should be easy to rewire; don't know whether the inverter is easily switcheable?

In a pinch, there exist 24->12VDC converters, for trucking applications. Most are lineal regulators (i.e. you lose 50% of the power in conversion), but perhaps switchmode-types exist? That way, you could get 80-90% conversion efficiency. Might be cheaper than a MPPT, don't know much about those last.

'free 185W panel'. Wish I had your problem

Peter.