MPPT SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER CALCULATOR
1. SINGLE PANEL SPECIFICATIONS:
(CHECK DATASHEET OR MANUFACTURER’S WEBSITE)
| MAXIMUM POWER (Pmax): | W |
| OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE (Voc): | V |
| SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (Isc): | A |
2. SOLAR ARRAY:
| SERIES: | |
| PARALLEL: |
| BATTERY BANK VOLTAGE: | 12V |
| 24V |
TOTAL POWER:
0 W
OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE:
0 V
MAX CHARGE CURRENT:
0 A
3. RECOMMENDED MPPT SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER:
* This calculator assumes a temperature correction factor of 1.2.
How this calculator works
1. The calculator first computes the Total Power, Open Circuit Voltage, Max Charge Current and Short Circuit Current of the solar array:
TOTAL POWER:
PMAX x Number of Panels
OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE:
VOC x Number of Panels in Series x T°FACTOR
MAX CHARGE CURRENT:
TOTAL POWER ÷ Battery Charge Voltage
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT:
ISC x Number of Panels in Parallel
Where:
- PMAX, VOC, ISC: User inputs
- Number of Panels: Total number of panels
- Battery Charge Voltage: 14.7V for 12V battery bank, 29.4V for 24V battery bank
- T°FACTOR: Temperature correction factor for -13F (-25C) per NPFA70® NEC® Table 690.7(A):
2. The calculator filters MPPT solar charge controllers compatible with your Battery Bank Voltage (12V or 24V).
3. The calculator selects a MPPT solar charge controller rated for both the array's OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE and MAX CHARGE CURRENT.*
* Any solar charge controller rated higher than OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE and MAX CHARGE CURRENT would be acceptable, but the calculator displays the closest match.
4. At last, the calculator makes sure that the solar charge controller is rated for the array's Short Circuit Current (Per Victron's Datasheets).
How did you Connect your solar panels? Serie/parallel ? And why ?
We recommend in series if your panels are not subject to partial shading from other components on your roof;
parallel if you have partial shading from other components.
We have a discussion about that here: https://faroutride.com/electrical-system/#solar-power
Hope this helps!
Hi Guys,
Question, with connecting three panels in parallel, the try connection on the roof for connecting the three panels together, do they all need to be connected for the panels to charge/work? meaning, if I have only two panels connected and one stored away, will the two connected still charge my batteries, with one not connected? I just don’t have the Real Estate to mount all three on the roof, I’ll connected the third when camping. So will the other to work? with one panel not connected?? Been looking everywhere for this info…Can you help. Cheers
What do you suggest when using a combination charge controller/inverter?
Hey!
You can check out our wiring diagram to learn more (inverter/solar/shore combination): https://faroutride.com/interactive-wiring-diagram/
And size your components using our calculator: https://faroutride.com/van-electrical-calculator/
Hope this helps,
Antoine