Wiring Option

[Vince55]

Hi,
I need to have my solar panels away from the Off-Grid cabin I'm wiring up. The panels need to be about 75' away from the cabin due to tree shade issues. The panels will either be 12 or 24 volt. I'm looking at using #8 AWG wire. What would be the best option?
1. Wire the solar panels to a power station next to the panels containing battery, controller and inverter. Run the 120 VAC from inverter in the power station to the cabin.
2. Run the solar panel wires to the controller in the cabin. Locate the battery and inverter in the cabin.

Thanks

[Naptown]

It depends on the controller type either mppt or pwm and the amperage of the configuration.
Hi voltage low amps will go a ways
Low voltage high amps not so much

[FloridaSun]

Hi,
I need to have my solar panels away from the Off-Grid cabin I'm wiring up. The panels need to be about 75' away from the cabin due to tree shade issues. The panels will either be 12 or 24 volt. I'm looking at using #8 AWG wire. What would be the best option?
1. Wire the solar panels to a power station next to the panels containing battery, controller and inverter. Run the 120 VAC from inverter in the power station to the cabin.
2. Run the solar panel wires to the controller in the cabin. Locate the battery and inverter in the cabin.

Thanks

Like Rich says, high volts and low amps are the way to go. Without knowing how large your array is and charge controller type it's impossible to give advice as to whether 8AWG is correct for your run. You may have the option of running 200Voc+ from panels to CC.
Where are you located? Is battery temp environment a problem? If you're in freeze country it may be better to set batteries in the cabin rather than off in a shed somewhere.
Read the sticky.. http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...oss-calculator

[Vince55]

Thanks for the info. The system is small. Two panels 150 watts each going into an MPPT controller. I'm in Washington and winters are moderate. Generally 30 - 45 F, may get to 10F in rare instances. I ran the calculator and looks like 1.2% if I go 120VAC distance.

[Naptown]

What are the panel specs? And what controller are you using?
Given only 2 I would wire them in series

[FloridaSun]

Thanks for the info. The system is small. Two panels 150 watts each going into an MPPT controller. I'm in Washington and winters are moderate. Generally 30 - 45 F, may get to 10F in rare instances. I ran the calculator and looks like 1.2% if I go 120VAC distance.

1.2% voltage loss is low and would give you some room to increase your system power in the future without having to add wire. With only two panels (I'm guessing 45Voc in series) in your present system that sounds like the best way for you to go. Run the long haul at 120V.