Quote:
Originally Posted by TransientVagabonds
Hello new to the skoolie community. We are almost to point in the build to purchase solar panels. My question is Renogy 300w 24v panels a good choice I can get some local ( save me shipping ). I've heard good things about running a 24v system and just drop down to 12v for what ever is needed.
Thanks The_transient_vagabonds
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peteg59
Not sure why you are choosing a 24volt system as 24v. is a bit overkill
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"24V" solar panels =/= a 24V system (in fact "24V" solar panels are not even 24V, they are closer to 36V per panel).
In a modern system with an MPPT solar charge controller. PV array voltage and system voltage are independent of each other. The only condition that has to be met is
PV array voltage must be sufficiently higher than system voltage.
larger panels are fine and can be sourced cheaper, all the people you see using the residential sized panels are using 60 or 72 or even 96 cell panels (a "12v" panel is 36 cells).
As for battery bank voltage, there are definitely pros and cons to either option. 24v is better suited for medium to large systems, particularly where a large inverter or solar array will be used, and particularly if most of your loads will be AC loads or can be found in 24v (there is a much smaller selection of 24v components compared to 12v, but (unlike 48v) you can usually find at least one option for most mobile or marine components, and lots of '12v' components are actually 12/24 if you read the fine print). Both are fairly 'safe' voltages, 48vdc you have to worry a bit more about shock hazard but its still relatively low risk, nowhere near as dangerous as 120 or 240 VAC.