Solar Charge Controller Question

[Raftn55]

Hello, I'm considering getting a 30 Watt panel which puts out 1.8 Amps and I found an inexpensive charge controller rated for 5 Amps.

Will the 1.8 max output of the panel be too little for the 5 Amp charge controller to work with or does the charge controller not really have a minimum Amperage requirement?

[n3qik]

You will be fine, plus with this controller, you can add another panel or two.

[Raftn55]

Great, thanks for the fast response n3qik

[Off Grid Solar]

All Charge controllers should be connected between a battery or bank of batteries and a single or multi solar panel. Almost all charge controllers are used in this manner. Solar DC power to charge batteries and batteries to supply power to inverters. This is how it has been for many years. Now things have changed. Solar panels with inverters no more charge controllers or batteries. This type of system can be monitored and is ideal for peak period operations. Which is the best is up to you and your application. If you want to store electric power (DC ONLY) use charge controllers and batteries. If you want something that even has less problems solar panels direct to monitoring inverters. If you are looking for the best most reliable solar system available look for a company that builds it all. Solar cells, Solar panels, Inverters, stands, mounting equipment and all. There is only one company that has the total solution. If you are interested; I will share this information. This is by no means to act as a agent for this company or its products.

[jcis4jc]

I'll bite.. Which company does all? Thanks for sharing.

[n3qik]

I know of only one:

http://www.enphaseenergy.com/products/moreinfo/howitworks.cfm

[Mike90250]

If you are looking for the best most reliable solar system available look for a company that builds it all. Solar cells, Solar panels, Inverters, stands, mounting equipment and all. There is only one company that has the total solution.

I'm interested, but I'm also a skeptic. Will the panel mounted inverter be able to be replaced independent of the panel? (I'm thinking of electronics box, baked daily, chilled at night - how many years will the "A" version last) It's a pretty harsh environment it has to live in.

How do city and utility company inspectors deal with 5 panels this month, then 2 more next year, and 2 more a month after that. Folks will want to "grow" their solar farm as they can afford it, and it's wacko to keep pulling permits for each stage over and over.

[tump]

I do NOT believe that Enphase builds anything but the inverters & the monitoring equipment. Having installed these inverters, Enphase has various products that will work w/ different voltages of the modules.
The only company that is marketing integrated system that I know of is Akena Solar DBA Andalay Solar. They use the module frames as the mounting rails & Enp. inverters.
Enphase is dealing w/ lack of production to fill the large contractual agreement w/ Andalay solar & those poor sobs that have sold customers on this idea are left waiting.
Too bad the product seems to work well although not as efficient as a string type of inverter but it does have its advantages.

[smsolar]

It is not a matter. You always need to look for a higher rated charge controller than a just fit one so that you can run a bigger load.

[ChrisPSolar]

I know of several people using Enphase on various size projects with no problems. Yet.

[JustinSolarGuy]

I just did a 3.3KW system with enphase inverters. They are very cool. A little harder to install than a conventional inverter because you have to ground the inverters and run the AC wiring along the rail. It just makes a bit more work trying to keep the wiring clean. There is some offset since you don't have to mount a big inverter on the wall but the enphase is definitely a bit more work. The cost of the enphase is not a lot more than a typical inverter. The monitoring is sweet and their customer service is awesome. But they are behind in production. We had to wait 3 months to get 25 inverters 15 for the 3.3KW and 10 for a 2KW that we haven't installed yet. Due to their lag time we just got the inverters when we could and are hiding them for this 2KW customer. Three months isnt too bad though. They told us when we ordered it would be 3 months and they came through exactly three months later. If you want their inverters and monitoring its worth waiting 3 months to get what you want.

[ChrisPSolar]

@Justin,

Did you do a price comparison on traditional vs enphase inverter? You said the cost was similar. The folks I know saved a bit on the wiring but it was when copper was a lot higher.

[Mike90250]

Also, the monthly monitoring contract too.