2 , 12 Volts or One 24 volts panel ? better ?

[nadeem5476]

Hi all

need to know from experts that which will b better .

2 panels of 12 volts ?
OR
One panel of 24 Volts ?

and please shed some light that WHY is better .

Thanks for your time .

Nadeem Ahmed

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Which is better an F-16 fighter or a Boeing 747?

We can't answer your question without details as to what you plan to power and what other equipment you want to use with the system.

WWW

[Mike90250]

I'd opt for the less interconnects possible. Id 24V does that, great. If you have to parallel another panel to get the wattage, it's a wash.

[Sunking]

Higher voltage is always better as it is less expensive and more efficient when using MPPT.

[SunEagle]

I would also imagine that the cost of 2 x 100 watt 12v panels would be almost double the cost of a 200 watt 24v panel

[jimindenver]

It's not that simple. The question should be is one better than the other in relationship too......

24v panels are indeed cheaper than 12v but I only deal with solar on RV's, which are 12v. The cost of the MPPT controller to run a 24v panel can easily offset the savings. Many RV's have roofs that wont take the big panels, smaller 12v panels are the only option. Portables are used camping and a pair of 120w panels hinged are a lot easier to handle and store than a 240w 24v panel. Each system is unique because each users needs, conditions, space and budget are different. You have to understand that side of the equation before deciding what is better for you.

[Sunking]

It's not that simple. The question should be is one better than the other in relationship too......

24v panels are indeed cheaper than 12v but I only deal with solar on RV's, which are 12v. The cost of the MPPT controller to run a 24v panel can easily offset the savings. Many RV's have roofs that wont take the big panels, smaller 12v panels are the only option. Portables are used camping and a pair of 120w panels hinged are a lot easier to handle and store than a 240w 24v panel. Each system is unique because each users needs, conditions, space and budget are different. You have to understand that side of the equation before deciding what is better for you.

Yes it is that simple from economics. It takes a 300 watt PWM system to equal a 200 watt MPPT system. A 300 watt PWM is going to cost you around $600 to $700. A 200 watt MPPT system around $400 to $500. Not to mention MPPT will consume 1/3 the space.

[jimindenver]

You may be able to produce the same as 2 150w 12v panels on PWM with less watts and money with MPPT but saying a 200w MPPT system is the same is drinking the Koolaid. Those two panels are rated for 18.5a at 12v PWM

I have three different 24v panels. The 220w mono is good for 12-13a. 230w poly 16a and 245w mono good for 17a. those are all cold clear days on MPPT and tracking. So I'd sure like to know what 200w 24v panel with a MPPT controller would match up with a pair of 150w 12v panels.

[SunEagle]

You may be able to produce the same as 2 150w 12v panels on PWM with less watts and money with MPPT but saying a 200w MPPT system is the same is drinking the Koolaid. Those two panels are rated for 18.5a at 12v PWM

I have three different 24v panels. The 220w mono is good for 12-13a. 230w poly 16a and 245w mono good for 17a. those are all cold clear days on MPPT and tracking. So I'd sure like to know what 200w 24v panel with a MPPT controller would match up with a pair of 150w 12v panels.

I hate to tell you but using 2 x 150w 12v panels with a PWM cc will produce just over 200 watts of charging capability. And a 200w 24v panel with a MPPT cc will produce 200 watt of charging.

So they are comparable in working ability but those 2 x 150w 12v panels can cost you 3 times what that 200w 24v panel does and even with a higher cost MPPT charger you still will spend less money for the same charging capabilities as well having room to grow with that MPPT charger.

[Sunking]

PWM Output Current = Current Output.

MPPT Output Current = Panel Wattage / Battery Voltage.

A 12 volt battery 200 watt PWM system constructed with expensive battery panels will have a max charge current of 11.1 amps every day of the year. A 12 volt 200 watt system max charge current = 16.7 amps. 11.1 and 16.7 are not equal.