solar panel system setup - request for advise

[seadago]

...and... absolutely many thanks to all that contributed and offered advise and experience. If the thing is a flop, it's entirely my fault!

[GeoffSchultz]

Looks good! Lots of luck (and sunshine)!

-- Geoff

[folotp]

Relating to the location of the controller, you typically want it as close to the batteries as possible especially if your panel voltage is high. My panels output at 48V thus the wire size required to minimize voltage drop at 48V is much lower than at 12V. So big $ savings in keeping the longer wire runs at 48V!

If you have multiple panels that will be shaded differently at different times of day, you are much better having one controller per panel as it will allow them to extract as much as they can from each of the panels. If however the panels were to be installed in a location where they are never shaded, then one controller is fine. If using multiple controllers, do make sure that all the controllers are setup with the same charging parameters as otherwise one might switch to float and basically shutdown while another one is still in absorption.

Good luck!

[seadago]

Relating to the location of the controller, you typically want it as close to the batteries as possible especially if your panel voltage is high. My panels output at 48V thus the wire size required to minimize voltage drop at 48V is much lower than at 12V. So big $ savings in keeping the longer wire runs at 48V!

If you have multiple panels that will be shaded differently at different times of day, you are much better having one controller per panel as it will allow them to extract as much as they can from each of the panels. If however the panels were to be installed in a location where they are never shaded, then one controller is fine. If using multiple controllers, do make sure that all the controllers are setup with the same charging parameters as otherwise one might switch to float and basically shutdown while another one is still in absorption.

Good luck!

Thanks Pierre Andre!

Agree with you. Being connected in parallel with 12 V battery system, the voltage will not be too high. Re shading, with panels on that location, I've given up trying to model and predict the loss of efficiency. Too many variables interacting in different scenarios! Will have to manage on a daily basis. This was one of the reasons to place the controllers in an easy to see location, where I can monitor charging at a glance, without having to move cushions and open under bunk lockers. I makes the whole install inelegant and looking like an amateur job (which, strictly speaking, it is), but hey.... mine is a very practical boat!

[drcscruggs]

A question from someone who knows little about solar.
I know one could put flexible panels on a sunbrella bimini. Has anyone put non flexible panels up and used that as the shade for the bimini? Would that hold up as it seems that you could get a lot of panels up that way for high output. I was thinking 3x300w.