Question for the solar gurus

[MR.M]

I was told i have a 190watt solar panel on the roof and want to add another but can't find 190 watt panels . i have a mppt 50 controller and it should handle a second 190 panel . anyone know what brand FR uses ? have a email into them but no word yet . going to mount on roof next to existing panel and will wire in parallel .

[18LT]

I bought three HQST 190-watt panels to supplement the factory installed GoPower 190-watt panel. The HQST specs are very close to the GoPower's specs and are in the $170-$185 range, much less than the cost of a GoPower 190-watt panel.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by 18LT

I bought three HQST 190-watt panels to supplement the factory installed GoPower 190-watt panel. The HQST specs are very close to the GoPower's specs and are in the $170-$185 range, much less than the cost of a GoPower 190-watt panel.

Thanks . So it's ok to mix and match panels ? and wire both together ?

[Aussieguy]

if you find a panel as close as possible it can be used in conjunction with your origina;
195 or 200 awatts






https://energyconnections.net.au/pag...t-solar-panels

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Thanks . So it's ok to mix and match panels ? and wire both together ?

Here's a link to a detailed explanation of the do's/don'ts of mixing solar panels.

It can be done but there are some key points to understand. Overall it amounts to 'the weakest link will affect performance".

https://solarpanelsvenue.com/mixing-solar-panels/

[RedRoverComeOver]

This is the OEM panel.





https://gopowersolar.com/products/ov...expansion-kit/

[nvs4602]

It's better to series your panels than to parallel them. Running in series double the voltage while current remains the same. Parallel will double the current and keep voltage the same. With the higher current you will need to increase wire size to the solar charge controller (SCC) .

Series will also start producing power sooner in the morning and later in the evening.

Just make sure you don't exceed your SCC input voltage.

You 50amp SCC will be good for 600watts of panels

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Here's a link to a detailed explanation of the do's/don'ts of mixing solar panels.

It can be done but there are some key points to understand. Overall it amounts to 'the weakest link will affect performance".

https://solarpanelsvenue.com/mixing-solar-panels/

thanks good info . would like to have 2 of the same 190watt panels

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

if you find a panel as close as possible it can be used in conjunction with your origina;
195 or 200 awatts






https://energyconnections.net.au/pag...t-solar-panels

Thanks .I was told i have a 190 watt panel never given any info on the panels other then that . i don't even know the brand let alone the specs . i'll have to see if i can find a label one the one installed .

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by 18LT

I bought three HQST 190-watt panels to supplement the factory installed GoPower 190-watt panel. The HQST specs are very close to the GoPower's specs and are in the $170-$185 range, much less than the cost of a GoPower 190-watt panel.

Looks like the HQST 190 watt is the closest to the go power and a 1/3 of the cost . amp and wattage about exact . will go this route $169 instead of $469. The 190 almost keeps batteries topped but after about a week of so need to turn converter on to top off batteries . I have 2 lithium 100 amp hr batteries . The first solar charge 50 amp controller handles the lithium as does my converter progressive set to 14.6 volts . Want to be able to not use converter at all unless days of clouds . Also if power goes out it will help when inverter is running to help keep fridge going . Thanks for the info

[Aussieguy]

Look at your roof
is the existing panel in the center ?
stopping you from getting the best usage of the roof real estate...
May be worth the effort to move that panel ... fill and seal the holes

position these 3 panels NOW .... allowing for another future panel upgrade.

You may never need to add more panels ... (Cpap or a trip to Alaska etc)
but if you do you will be glad you planned for it now.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Look at your roof
is the existing panel in the center ?
stopping you from getting the best usage of the roof real estate...
May be worth the effort to move that panel ... fill and seal the holes

position these 3 panels NOW .... allowing for another future panel upgrade.

You may never need to add more panels ... (Cpap or a trip to Alaska etc)
but if you do you will be glad you planned for it now.

existing panel is in a good location , new panel will be inline behind it . Unit never moves at stationary lot in Fl. The 190 almost does it with one more it should fill the need . only reson for more will be another hurricane where i have no power for 12 days . this last time i needed the generator to keep batteries charged it was running the fridge for 12 days though .

[MR.M]

Ordered the HQST 190 watt panel with brackets $178 shipped . seems to be the best fit for my needs . thanks all for jumping in and giving me the info needed for this .

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by nvs4602

It's better to series your panels than to parallel them. Running in series double the voltage while current remains the same. Parallel will double the current and keep voltage the same. With the higher current you will need to increase wire size to the solar charge controller (SCC) .

Series will also start producing power sooner in the morning and later in the evening.

While there are certainly benefits to wiring in series vs. parallel, it's hard to give a hard & fast rule that "series is better than parallel".

Series do exactly what you said- start producing power sooner and longer, but they suffer more due to shading. The weakest panel brings down that set of panels in series to the lowest voltage of the panels.

Whereas parallel doesn't make charging voltage until later in the day, it isn't impacted by shading like series panels do.

[Aussieguy]

never moves...
look at pointing and tilting the panels for best performance. (if allowed by property managers/owners)

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

never moves...
look at pointing and tilting the panels for best performance. (if allowed by property managers/owners)

Well i own the lot and can set up as i desire . problem would be winds ,hurricanes and extra stress on roof having them tilted through it would not be many degrees . Not wanting to move existing panel at all . Summer through hurricane season sun is pretty straight up . I really think the extra panel will make the difference . I will for sure test and see how the batteries and solar handle the fridge operation . and may even add a third if need be . Would like to run the fridge on solar and batteries alone when power goes out .

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by ependydad

While there are certainly benefits to wiring in series vs. parallel, it's hard to give a hard & fast rule that "series is better than parallel".

Series do exactly what you said- start producing power sooner and longer, but they suffer more due to shading. The weakest panel brings down that set of panels in series to the lowest voltage of the panels.

Whereas parallel doesn't make charging voltage until later in the day, it isn't impacted by shading like series panels do.

I was still leaning to parallel for the 2 panels . BUT! you have me thinking what is really the best or is there a best ? was not planing on running new wire to controller just wiring into existing on the roof

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MR.M

I was still leaning to parallel for the 2 panels . BUT! you have me thinking what is really the best or is there a best ? was not planing on running new wire to controller just wiring into existing on the roof

Wiring to existing rooftop panel in parallel should be OK for one, posdibly two more panels.

If panel output current is 9-10 amp each, adding a third panel may exceed the current capacity of existing wires and that assumes original panel was wired with #10 awg wire. If wired with #12 awg (to save money of course) then two panels totals the logical limit.

Series connection would negate the need to upgrade wire size as only voltage doubles. Then the voltage limit of SCC takes over. Add the Vmax spec on back of each panel and if total doesn't exceed rating of SCC you're golden.

If your site is wide open and shading not an issue., since you already have the MPPT controller I personally would lean toward series connecting. The extra time the system will charge could very possibly make more than one more panel unnecessary.



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[MR.M]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Wiring to existing rooftop panel in parallel should be OK for one, posdibly two more panels.

If panel output current is 9-10 amp each, adding a third panel may exceed the current capacity of existing wires and that assumes original panel was wired with #10 awg wire. If wired with #12 awg (to save money of course) then two panels totals the logical limit.

Series connection would negate the need to upgrade wire size as only voltage doubles. Then the voltage limit of SCC takes over. Add the Vmax spec on back of each panel and if total doesn't exceed rating of SCC you're golden.

If your site is wide open and shading not an issue., since you already have the MPPT controller I personally would lean toward series connecting. The extra time the system will charge could very possibly make more than one more panel unnecessary.



Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Forest River Forums mobile app

Thanks . Been reading up on Parallel vs Series . For my application it looks as though series wiring is the best since unit is parked full time in full sun.
I do have the MPPT 50 amp controller also

The panels are a different make but it the specs are correct they should be a good match . The go power 190 is 20.4 operating v and 9.45 amps the HQST is 20.3 v and 9.36 amps .

[Freebird2020]

I have a Cedar Creek. This is the label of the Go-Power that came with my 5th wheel.