Expectations from solar

[MikeHoncho]

Yep, all the charging in the world won't make the batteries last longer. A couple of nice Victron MMPT controllers (one for each panel) will set you back about $250.

Why would you need one for each panel?

 

[SycloneDriver]

Why would you need one for each panel?

The MPPT works more efficiently with one per panel, if there is any shading or difference in panel angle.

 

[MikeHoncho]

The MPPT works more efficiently with one per panel, if there is any shading or difference in panel angle.

Both of mine are on the same plane so I never had to consider that.

 

[Johann]

The MPPT works more efficiently with one per panel, if there is any shading or difference in panel angle.

Also, often times two smaller MPPTs are about the same cost (or less) than one larger MPPT.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

The MPPT works more efficiently with one per panel, if there is any shading or difference in panel angle.

If the panels wired are in parallel it won’t be worth the cost of 2 controllers, added wiring etc. unless they are of different types. Each panel has diodes on the output so they won’t affect each other as much as if they were wired in series.