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Forum Index : Solar : Two solar panels, one charger

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davef
Guru

Joined: 14/05/2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 499

Posted: 09:57am 25 Feb 2013

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On our house it will be most convenient to mount one solar panel facing North-east and the another one facing North-west.

I could use a relay to switch between the panels around lunchtime but would like to know if there is a scheme whereby I can combine the power available from both panels.

I would prefer not to use two chargers (MPPT or otherwise).

Thanks,
Dave

davef
Guru

Joined: 14/05/2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 499

Posted: 08:18pm 25 Feb 2013

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A work colleague has informed me (and Wikipedia seems to support) that PV panels are basically constant-current sources. Just slap them in parallel ensuring that there are blocking diodes in each panel. Which, I believe is or was standard practice.

Unless, anyone suggests that their real-world experience is different I'll order the PV panels.

Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 02:36am 26 Feb 2013

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I have three trackers on my shed roof, their outputs are connected in parallel together and feed the battery bank through a single MPPT. No problem at all.

AS said above, do make sure blocking diodes are in place. Some of my panels are a cheaper version and I noticed there was a small current feeding back from the high efficiency panels (sunpower) to the others after sunset but not yet dark.

Klaus

davef
Guru

Joined: 14/05/2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 499

Posted: 08:30pm 27 Feb 2013

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Thank you. Proceeding with the build.

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