Dabbling with solar. Looking for a single 500w panel to keep my battery full with 400w usage

brimur69 · 20-04-2023 5:07pm #1

Hey guys, this is just a bit of a side project but I work from home and have a home lab and the total usage is about 350 - 430W. I am playing around with solar and have a portable 160W panel that is great, averaging 150W with good sun but didn't cover my usage. I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 that accepts 500w of solar so if possible I would like to get a single panel that would cover my usage and keep the battery charged in peak conditions. Any suggestions/links appreciated

DC999 · 20-04-2023 5:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058293221/dabbling-with-solar-looking-for-a-single-500w-panel-to-keep-my-battery-full-with-400w-usage

Hey, have a look at Solar Panels (top left) of Midsummer Renewables. They have 450W panels. For one off stuff, have a look at their clearance stock. Or 'Damaged panels available for a discounted price due to minor damage to the panel faces or frames. Sold as is.' Afaik could put a multimeter on it to check it works before buying it

brimur69 · 20-04-2023 9:24pm

Thanks very much for the info. Shame the clearance and broken ones are all under 400w but the 450w should do. I saw there was a sharp 550w too but it's out of stock.

bullit_dodger · 20-04-2023 10:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120501662#Comment_120501662

just be aware that the 450w and the 550w are physically bigger panels. It's not that they are more efficient.

graememk · 21-04-2023 6:02am

Also double check the input voltage it may not be the case of just a 500 w panel

PCDub · 21-04-2023 9:10am

Eco flow delta 2 has a min/max input voltage of 11/60v so you could try getting 2 panels with a voc lower than 30v, preferrably around 27v to leave some headroom. I've got couple of bluetti's and i over panel them but keep within the voltage specs. I use 2 405w panels and the bluetti has max 700w input but its all ok as voltage within spec.

graememk · 21-04-2023 9:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120502681#Comment_120502681

What about 2 300w ones in parallel.

It might not be able to use the 600 w but you'll get 500w most of the time

PCDub · 21-04-2023 9:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120502792#Comment_120502792

That would be perfect i'd say, similar to what i've done with 2x405w panels to try and ensure i get the 700w max of the bluetti mppt most of the time.