[RE-wrenches] strings of older solar panels

[Joel Davidson]

David KatzHello Lee,

The Solarex MSX-64 module was on the CEC 2001 Tax Year List of Approved 
Photovoltaic Modules for the Solar Energy System Credit. If anyone would 
like a copy of the 2001 approved modules list, contact me off-list. Lee, in 
your case it doesn't matter because you can't "grandfather" used modules for 
a rebate.

Joel Davidson


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bill Brooks
To: dkatz at aeesolar.com ; 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:07 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] strings of older solar panels


Lee,

Your idea about 2 strings of 16 is fine on a Fronius IG2000. The voltage is 
correct and the inverter power is more than sufficient. There is no 
difference at all in the way module bypass diodes were done then (early 
1990s) as now. You want to check the Voc of each module to make sure there 
are no failures, but beyond that, everything else is the same. They are not 
on the CEC list because they predate the list.

Bill.

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David Katz
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:28 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] strings of older solar panels

Lee
I would be inclined to use groups of 4 modules wired for 24 volts connected 
to an Enphase inverter.  This will give you less problem with mismatch loss. 
256 watts is high but they are probably a bit lower in output that that.
David
David Katz
Chief Technical Officer
AEE Solar
1155 Redway Drive
P.O. Box 339
Redway, CA  95560
Tel (707) 825-1200
Fax (707) 825-1202
dkatz at aeesolar.com
www.aeesolar.com

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Solar Plexus wrote:
Hi Wrenches.

 I have a customer with 32 of the Solarex MSX-64 solar panels an a 
battery-based system.  He wants to go batteryless inverter.  So I am looking 
at  2 strings of 16 in series.    But the solar panel spec sheet doesn't say 
anything about system voltage rating.  Can I do this?
  If  one solar panel in the string is shaded, does it see the full string 
voltage of around 280 volts?  Is there something in the way new panels are 
made that makes them more able to handle this voltage, or is it just that 
they are now tested for it?
 My guess is this request may be happenning a fair amount.  Is there a 
reason these panels are not listed on the California GoSolr website?

Lee Tavenner
Solar Plexus