I just connected my 15 Watt 12V solar panel directly to my 300 Watt 12 inverter. It worked for about 2 minutes then it popped (sparks, smoke etc)! What the hell did I do wrong? I thought the solar panel was 12 volts? Can someone with experience with these things help me out?
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1 comment
pvdirect81 says:
July 13, 2010 at 2:20 pm (UTC 10 )
12v (12v nominal) is a descriptive term, not an actual voltage figure given. it serves to identify components that will work together in a system. your 300w inverter needs to see a constant voltage supply likely between 10.5 and 14.5 volts in order to function. a 12v battery (hopefully a deep cycle one) will remain at these voltages in day or night. your pv module (aka solar panel) is designed to work at 15-17 volts. why? because you have to be at a higher voltage to charge the battery which may not be full until 13 or 14 volts.
your pv module is not intended to be wired to the inverter,and the inverter manual will only describe wiring to a battery for this reason. not only will unregulated pv be too high a voltage, but it is also variable based on sunlight so it wont work at nigh, and is also only 5% of your inverters capability. the other answerer is correct, solar module to charge controller, charge controller to battery(s), battery to inverter, inverter to appropriately sized load. if your installation is permanent rather than mobile, you would be subject to national electric code, and also have to include appropriate grounding, overcurrent protection and disconnects.
very few loads can "run" directly from solar (aka pv direct). these are often things like fans or pumps that can handle variable voltage and power outputs.
james
altestore.com staff