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Bob,<br>
What you are describing is not as uncommon as you may think - it's
kinda how things were often done by off-grid homeowners: adding modules
as needs grew over the years. I have told many homeowners in years past
that yes, you can add additional PV modules at any time - these were
what were available at different times. It used to be that with rare
exception, all modules had 36 cells and were nominally 12V, so they
could all be paralleled for additional input current as long as the
input conductors could handle it. <br>
<br>
Nowadays it looks pretty funky, but it was somewhat common in early
years. Your client was actually smarter than most to buy modules in
pairs, rather than singles.<br>
<br>
The Photowatt PWX500s are well-made, non-UL 47.5W 12V modules
sandwiched between two glass sheets. They were the first (European)
offering of Photowatt US, aka Matrix in Albuquerque, now defunct. About
2001 vintage. No safety issues, well-made, just never listed. The
Photowatt PWX1000s were more or less two of these in one frame, I
think. Most were UL-listed, as I think they were manufactured here.<br>
<br>
The KC120s are well known and have been discussed here. Modules from
the late 90s may be defective - low output. Kyocera replaced some for
me (I wasn't the original installer) under warranty, but the 10-year
warranty has since run out, so I dunno. <br>
<br>
Golden Genesis was who bought Photocomm, before it was itself bought by
Kyocera. A short-lived bastard stepchild of the Joseph Coors Brewing
Company. Could be Astropower 75s, could be Photocomm Solavolt; likely
not Kyocera, as I don't think they ever made a 75 - just 60s and 80s.
There was a private-labeled Solarjack 75 (part of pump systems) but I
don't know who the manufacturer was (Joel will, of course...).<br>
<br>
Usually when we fully upgrade a system we keep the existing array. Like
Ray sez, if the racking was good it might be worth simple rewiring -
all are good older modules and all are reasonably compatible, although
you're stuck with 24Vnom with all of these. The "turd in the punchbowl"
(so to speak) is the new 2hp turd grinder. You didn't say what the
existing inverter is, but it doesn't matter - it won't work. Even an
old SW4024 is not likely to start and run 2hp - and you'd need a
step-up transformer. Two SWs will handle it, if you can find a mate and
stacking cable for it.<br>
<br>
I'd replace the array, upgrade the entire system (except batteries)
with a new big honking inverter, and warn them they're looking at about
20 grand. Part of this is that the turd pump is a big load, best run at
48Vnom, which the array can't do. <br>
<br>
Or they can figure out a different way to grind their poop and the job
is much simpler. I can't suggest how much simpler without more info on
existing equipment.<br>
<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="il"><b style="">Allan</b></span><b
style=""> Sindelar</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br>
<a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com" target="_blank"><span
class="il">Allan</span>@positiveenergysolar.com</a><br>
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer<br>
EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
<b style="">Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3201 Calle Marie<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b style="">505 424-1112</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/" target="_blank">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span></p>
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<br>
<br>
Bob Clark wrote:
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Wrenches:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">We
were called to assess the status of an off-grid system
that is not the worst I have seen, but it comes close.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">I
have some preliminary thoughts about system redesign,
but would like to hear from the Wrenches about the array.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Givens:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">We
will not install anything unless it is to code.
It is obvious that none of the existing system was installed to code.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">We
will use the existing 24V battery bank consisting of
8, Trojan L16s. The batteries are still “relatively fresh.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Pump
is a Franklin pump ½ hp 115VAC. The CFs dim
when the pump starts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">New
load will be a GRINDER PUMP FOR SEPTIC = 2HP, 15amp
(240 or 120VAC – more than likely it will be 240V pump) – Another
light dimmer!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Modest
daily electrical load (estimate no more than 600
WHr/day; 25AHr) – they are <i><u>very good</u></i> at managing their
electrical use.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Solar
array – to keep or replace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">8
solar modules – a Heinz 57 mix of older modules -
2 Photowatt PMX500 (Are these modules UL listed? There did not appear
to
be a rating label on the back.) wired in series, 2 Kyocera KC120-1
wired in
series, 2 Golden Genesis PV-75 wired in series, 2 Photowatt PW 1000
12V-24V
internally wired for 24V wired in parallel with the other modules
strings
– all of these modules are wired in 5 parallel strings for
approximately
34.2Vmp and 20.4Imp, ~695W (STC). Oh, and they need a new mounting
structures for the modules.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Should
I try to work with these modules or advise the
customer to start over (any modules that are not UL listed will have to
go)?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">What
is a good “rule of thumb” for a ratio of
PV watts to battery bank capacity per day of autonomy?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Thanks
for your ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family: Papyrus; color: rgb(227, 108, 10);">Bob Clark<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span
style="font-family: Papyrus; color: rgb(227, 108, 10);">SolarWind
Energy Systems, LLC<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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