Using twin tracker with shading

[grandfortune]

Hi all,

ive got a system to do and its SW facing 8mtrs long so has 2x7 panels on there is a chimney on the left side and will shade about four of the panels, is it best to put a twin tracker Inverter on and put 2 strings of seven or is twin trackers for different pitches and roof orientations.?

thanks
grand

 

[dansk]

Hi - Yes something like Power-One 3.6TL would be good (assuming your using 250w panels) - twin MPP is like two inverters in one, so if one string is shaded it wont affect the other one.

 

[Gavin A]

with the power one you can also set the shading function to do a sweep of the voltage range more frequently than the 15 minute period it's set at as standard. I forget exactly what the function is called.

 

[grandfortune]

mmm pv sol doesnt seem to find a power one 3.6TL dual tracker:38:

 

[Gavin A]

3.6 Out-d

 

[grandfortune]

thanks m8

its showing 1 string of 14

im using ET 250w panels, could that be a reason??

thanks for the reply;s guys

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

It should be 1 string of 7 panels into each MPP tracker using ET 250W. You may be able to put the shaded panels onto 1 MPP and the unshaded onto the other, this would reduce the effect of shading as much as possible. Check on PVSol if the inverter would be OK with only 4 panels, I think it might be but would need to check myself.

We stock ET 250W and the Power One, if you would like a quotation for your system please get in touch.

 

[finchy]

Have you considered solar edge ?

 

[grandfortune]

are these a single inverter or idividually ones.?

 

[whinmoor]

With Solar Edge, each panel has its own optimiser. There's also a single "master" inverter.

 

[finchy]

This optimises the maximum output from each panel given the specific conditions of each panel. I would recommend this in situation like this. Plus free online monitoring. Peace of mind for everyone !

 

[grandfortune]

yeah but how much, we are talking a 3.5Kw system for sub 6k

Cheers
grand

 

[finchy]

cant discuss prices but there would be enough meat on the bone for 6K @ 3.5kW

 

[grandfortune]

ill post in the sunlounge

Cheers
Grand

 

[Eco Deal]

Got to be solar edge ,

this is the problem customers want system for nothing but want top quality , solar edge should be selling at around £7500- £8000 for a 4 kwp not £5950 if you want these prices then buy a cheap system that will under perform because of the shading ???

 

[jason121]

Enphase micro inverter

 

[finchy]

Agree the danger for people in the thirst/desperation for a install cut prices so much it will drive everyone out of business. Some prices I've seen can not be using scaffolding and just about covering wages. we price solar the same as any electrical job have done and always will do the same. If the customer wants cheap then they should worry. We got a call from a chap with a query about his system because his installer went out of business.!

 

[Earthstore]

Could you not use an SMA with the optitrak switched on?
This should give you reasonable performance at a reasonable price.