Hi guys I've buying the new 6" cell x 72 cell from Trina from a few suppliers. Big yea, but same 44voc so it's an easy add to existing systems.
A huge relief. Jay Peltz power Sent from my iPhone On Jan 24, 2013, at 12:11 PM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com> wrote: > Hi Allan; > > I've been in the same conundrum lately. I found that AEE and others have 12 > v modules (Solartech), but the price per watt is double or triple. My take > is that somewhere around 200 to 400 watts, its more cost effective to go to > the GT modules with an MPPT controller. Blue Sky makes the 1524, and 3024 > that can take up to 57 Voc, so those would work at still fairly low cost. > Unfortunately many of the other low cost MPPT controllers won't work with the > 60 cell modules. At some point, it may actually be cost effective to just > use 60 cell modules with non MPPT controllers, and just forget about the > extra 24 cells. (I know that sounds crazy, but PV less than $1/ watt is > crazy too) > > I'm trying to add modules to an existing array of 8 Siemens 12 v modules, and > it just doesn't work out, except with separate controllers. > Also, its amazing how much PV you can throw at an off grid project these days > for $10k. > It almost makes messing around with the old modules a waste of time. > Perhaps the solution might be to remove old arrays for customers wanting to > really up size, and then reuse the old modules for small systems? > > Ray > > On 1/24/2013 12:35 PM, Allan Sindelar wrote: >> Wrenches, >> We have years of installing 36-cell (12V) and 72-cell (24V) modules for >> battery-based customers. Most of our systems are 24V or 48V nominal. Over >> the last few years, sources of conventionally-sized 72-cell modules have >> dried up - as cells have increased in size, most modules and most newer >> factory production lines have either gone to 60-cell (20V) modules, or 72 >> cells in 300+ watt ranges. It seems that the formerly common 72 cell, 24V >> modules in the 150-190 watt range, which are well-suited to integrating into >> existing systems, are no longer available. >> >> 60-cell modules in the common 220-250 watt range can't be added to an >> existing system unless run through a dedicated MPPT charge controller that >> can convert voltage, such as an FM, XW60, Classic or TriStar; the added cost >> of any of these controllers cancels out the low prices of the modules. >> >> Who continues to manufacture 72-cell modules? Which distributors carry them? >> I am aware of three options - are there more? >> - Sunpower makes one module in the 245 watt range that can be used >> negative ground, but it's very high efficiency (and with high Voc/Vmp as >> well) and very pricey; >> - Sanyo/Panasonic has 225-240 watt modules, but also quite premium and >> pricey; >> - Ameresco bought the rights to manufacture many former BP modules, and >> I think they make some. But we had to replace lots of failed BP modules in >> that size range, and are hesitant to use their technology, fearing that the >> problems may persist in the continued line. >> >> Thank you for any discussion and recommendations. >> Allan >> -- >> Allan Sindelar >> al...@positiveenergysolar.com >> NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer >> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional >> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician >> Founder and Chief Technology Officer >> Positive Energy, Inc. >> 3209 Richards Lane (note new address) >> Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 >> 505 424-1112 >> www.positiveenergysolar.com >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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