Hi,

My dad had his solar system installed about 3 years ago. Currently he has 8x 410W Canadian Solar panels. He now wants to add more panels but can't get 410W panels. He has managed to get 465W panels though.

1. Does anybody know if there are still 410W panels available?
2. If not, can you mix 410W and 465W panels. Obviously the 465W panels will be at a lower efficiency.
3. If he add optimizers to his panels to increase the efficiency, what is the best optimizers to use. He has a Axpert 5kW inverter.

Thank you

Hi,

 

Here is a nice site to reference:

 

https://mowgli-adventures.com/wiring-solar-panels-in-series-vs-parallel/

 

What is his current setup?

How many MPPTs does he have?

What are the specs of the MPPTs

What are the specs of the panels?

Please give this for people to assist as much they can.

 

Remember it is mostly about the panel Voltage and Current, these are the ones that needs to be as close if not identical as possible.

You dont need to have all Canadian Solar, obviously having the precise same panels are best case, but if he gets 410 JA Solar for example that has very close to the same V and I, then the output would be very close to as if he had all one brand. Chemistry is important though and the panels would need to be of similar type, Poly mixed with Mono wouldnt give best results.

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Eurard

I'm watching this with interest as I am in a similar situation with my Victron 150/70 and 315W JA Solar panels.

The Axperts have built-in charge controllers. I think the one in question has the following parameters.

Okay so a little research: MPPT

Canadian Solar 410W - 39.1V - 10.49A

JA Solar 410W - 31.45V - 13.04A

Jinko Solar 410W - 30.62V - 13.39A

Qcells 410W - 38.11V - 10.76A

Canadian 465W - 41.7V - 11.16A

 

So best match to the Canadian Solar 410W is the Qcells 410W.

 

Best bet would be two parallel strings with the similar panels in series. This is if there are two MPPT inputs and the input is within the specs.

If he has bought one 465W to add to what he already has, then he can add them in series as long as he remains in the MAX VOC, less couple to make up for spikes a bit.

450VOC max:

He is already then if all are in Series on 383V/450, 465W panel looks like having a VOC of 49.7, thus adding one more takes him to 432V which I would then call max.

Output will be per VOC stats of the panels:

V = 432V

I = 11.14A

W = 4814W, which is higher than the spec, so there will be some clipping going on.

Hope I have this correct. As I understand it in Series, you are limited on the lowest panel Amps and in parallel you are limited on the lowest panel string Voltage.

 

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Eurard

He has a Axpert King inverter. it has 1 x 4000W MPPT. See details below on right. He has 8 panels (4 strings of 2). His panels are only at 18 degrees so his efficiency is very low. Yesterday he only got 1700W max out of the possible 3280W with no clouds.

Below is the details of the existing panels. I am waiting for the details of the new panels

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by ErickvWyngaard

Okay so if he places one more parallel string in with 2 in series of the new 465W panels, he would effectively be able to look at a output of 4154W.

But I would rather look at why he is pulling such low figures, as his current setup of 8 (2s4p), already should output 3280W (Shading etc etc, something isnt right)

If with new two panels added, and the ratio he is currently getting which is 52%, he is going to get only in the region of 2160W.

With 2s5p, with the added 1p being 2 in series of the 465Ws:

Voltage VOC - 95.2V

Voltage Vmp - 78.2V

Current Isc - 67.8A

Current Imp - 53.12A

Total VOC less than the 145 by a good margin, nicely in the range for MPPT, and Current less than the 80A by good margin as well.

 

Question, do you have a pic of them on the roof as well as confirm which direction they are facing?

Also lastly any big trees or anything that can partially cast a shadow on the panels?

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Eurard

23 minutes ago, Eurard said:

But I would rather look at why he is pulling such low figures, as his current setup of 8 (2s4p), already should output 3280W (Shading etc etc, something isnt right)

Best guess is it's the 18 degree fitment angle and time of year. But of course shading etc to be checked also.

Thanks

Initially they had all the panels on 1 x 6mm^2 cable (maybe it was 10mm^2). I then suggested that they install a second cable, but that did not make a big difference.

His panels are directly north with no shading.

Below is his production for yesterday

13 minutes ago, GreenFields said:

Best guess is it's the 18 degree fitment angle and time of year. But of course shading etc to be checked also.

Definately, but hell, 50%, aint right

 

Below at 18 degrees should pull anything from at least this time of year 75%.

 

Example of mine is 4960W system, on 22 degrees, delivering 4.2kW or 85% which I right off as the time of year and low sun angle etc. The cold helps bring it back up though.

 

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Eurard

2 minutes ago, ErickvWyngaard said:

Thanks

Initially they had all the panels on 1 x 6mm^2 cable (maybe it was 10mm^2). I then suggested that they install a second cable, but that did not make a big difference.

His panels are directly north with no shading.

 

When last did you clean those panels? They look very dusty.

4 minutes ago, PowerUser said:

When last did you clean those panels? They look very dusty.

Not sure. I will tell him to get that done

Just now, ErickvWyngaard said:

Not sure. I will tell him to get that done

And that off course lol

Mine: 4960W System

 

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Eurard

On 2023/05/26 at 8:02 AM, ErickvWyngaard said:

Hi,

My dad had his solar system installed about 3 years ago. Currently he has 8x 410W Canadian Solar panels. He now wants to add more panels but can't get 410W panels. He has managed to get 465W panels though.

1. Does anybody know if there are still 410W panels available?
2. If not, can you mix 410W and 465W panels. Obviously the 465W panels will be at a lower efficiency.
3. If he add optimizers to his panels to increase the efficiency, what is the best optimizers to use. He has a Axpert 5kW inverter.

Thank you

I'm currently in the same situation. I've already procured my panels with different specs to add to my system as i couldnt find the same spec panels. I have my reservations with optimisers but will wait to hear others experiences.