Using Different Size Panels

[Barx]

Ok, never had to think about this one and brain is too fried to start now. In the hunt to find a cheap setup for my house I can get my hands on 4 255w panels pretty much nothing. The issue is I cannot find another matching 4 to make the 8 I need. But I can find 4 x same panel but 260w. I can't see any reason these won't work together, can you? If I buy these 4 then it essentially gets me the 8 panels for half price. I would like better panels but I simply cannot justify the price. Going to get a decent inverter though. 8 x full price higher watt panel, not really worth it in my opinion.

Thoughts

 

[binky]

use solaredge - every panel is an individual, mix and match to your hearts content.

If mixing panels on a single string you need to match the ampage outputs - I've seen it done, but wouldn't recommend it. A lower ampage panels act as a resitance in the cct and can get hot. If you ever have to replace a single broken panel, get a panel with higher ampage - that's fine, but several panels???

 

[NozSpark]

Couldn't you wire them as 2 separate strings back to the inverter???

would that work??

 

[Barx]

use solaredge - every panel is an individual, mix and match to your hearts content.

If mixing panels on a single string you need to match the ampage outputs - I've seen it done, but wouldn't recommend it. A lower ampage panels act as a resitance in the cct and can get hot. If you ever have to replace a single broken panel, get a panel with higher ampage - that's fine, but several panels???

255w Isc 8.86 Voc 37.4

260w Isc 8.95 Voc 37.5

Was thinking these would be close enough to be similar to nominal tolerances?

Couldn't you wire them as 2 separate strings back to the inverter???

would that work??

At 4 panels per string, the strings wouldn't be big enough for a dual string inverter.

Cheers

 

[binky]

checkout Fronius or Power One inverters, but not ideal situation with only 4 panels.

 

[NozSpark]

At 4 panels per string, the strings wouldn't be big enough for a dual string inverter.

Cheers

Have you thought about moving somewhere with a bigger roof?

 

[geng_maria]

so, now you only have 4 x 255W panels on hand right? and you're now searching for inverter and 4 more panels to match? let me try to  suggest you a most economical allocation...

 

[a3]

so, now you only have 4 x 255W panels on hand right? and you're now searching for inverter and 4 more panels to match? let me try to  suggest you a most economical allocation...

Hi, I have just sent you an email.

 

[Lurch]

Hi, I have just sent you an email.

I just sent an email as well. Not to you or the previous poster though.

 

[binky]

so, now you only have 4 x 255W panels on hand right? and you're now searching for inverter and 4 more panels to match? let me try to  suggest you a most economical allocation...

a cheap s**** Chinese inverter that will fail after 2 years :^O

 

[geng_maria]

Hi, I have just sent you an email.

what e-mail? not receive.... :facepalm:

I just sent an email as well. Not to you or the previous poster though.

sent to me? i didn't receive....

 

[a3]

what e-mail? not receive.... :facepalm:

The email i sent bounced back as an unknown address, it was the email in your profile that you used to sign up to the forum with.

Ill send you a private message instead hun.

 

[geng_maria]

Ok, never had to think about this one and brain is too fried to start now. In the hunt to find a cheap setup for my house I can get my hands on 4 255w panels pretty much nothing. The issue is I cannot find another matching 4 to make the 8 I need. But I can find 4 x same panel but 260w. I can't see any reason these won't work together, can you? If I buy these 4 then it essentially gets me the 8 panels for half price. I would like better panels but I simply cannot justify the price. Going to get a decent inverter though. 8 x full price higher watt panel, not really worth it in my opinion.

Thoughts

you can put 2*255W & 2*260W together per string....

 

[binky]

but how does that affect performance of the MPPT in the inverter?