Solar System questions

[RagingGumby]

So I purchased a kit. Its a 6500W 48V SOLAR CHARGE INVERTER PARALLEL + WIFI MONITOR UL1741 with a 390VDC max and 8 450W mono panels that have 41.72v VOC. If I understand this correctly that means that I can wire them all in series correct? If I can should I? Or should I wire them in 2 parallel series? What are the pros and cons of either?

I am trying to plan out the wiring of the panels to the MPPT/Inverter and what gauge I should be using. All the panels will be on iron ridge xr1000 racks on my 33ft bus and will enter through a flange directly over the utility closet which will have the 2 rack mounted Lithium ion battery banks that came with the system.

If you have any inputs or thoughts I would love to hear it and also let me know if any other info would be needed. Thanks!

 

[TheHubbardBus]

Here are some useful links to help you answer your own questions:

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stan...ds/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stan.../list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1192

https://maritime.org/doc/#neets


EDIT: The two NFPA documents can be accessed for free. See the 'free access' button on the pages linked.

 

[HamSkoolie]

If you put them all in a single series then an issue with any one panel of circuit will take down your entire PV array.
Wiring in two series, through two charge controllers would split your system so that a failure in one series would only affect 1/2 your PV array and leave you perhaps "crippled" power wise but not "dead in the water".


When you mention rack mounted lithium batteries I'm thinking your system is Signature Solar. I have those batteries and the EG 6.5 inverter and 10 panels at 290W ea.

 

[Rwnielsen]

I was, at one point, in charge of four rooftop systems for a grocery store chain. We had 10 panels per string, series wired, for 480 volts for grid tie through an inverter. I've been an electrician for over 40 years and, by far, the worst shock I've ever experienced was from DC. It was overcast and only around 360v at the time but...wow
Be careful

 

[RagingGumby]

That is a valid point but I will stick with the single MPPT controller for now. I also think I will be running it in series for wiring simplicity and no need for fuses on the panel wiring. From my research that will just mean I need to worry for partial shading and be cognizant of panels with bad cells. I also may use a 2s4p setup to give my system a little more fault tolerance and partial shading tolerance but that will require fuses on the positive wires.

 

[TheHubbardBus]

That is a valid point but I will stick with the single MPPT controller for now. I also think I will be running it in series for wiring simplicity and no need for fuses on the panel wiring. From my research that will just mean I need to worry for partial shading and be cognizant of panels with bad cells. I also may use a 2s4p setup to give my system a little more fault tolerance and partial shading tolerance but that will require fuses on the positive wires.

Can you explain what you mean by the part in bold?