MPPT Solar Charge Controller Capacity for 4x150W Solar Panels, 5KVA Inverter 2x200Ah 12V AGM Batteries

Overview of the Solar Power System

When designing a solar power system, it's essential to ensure that all components are properly matched to work together efficiently. This article discusses the required capacity of an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charge controller for a setup with 4x150W solar panels, a 5KVA inverter, and a 2x200Ah 12V AGM battery bank, along with the Victron 24V/5000av/120A inverter.

Connecting Solar Panels

The first step in designing an efficient solar power system is to connect the solar panels correctly. For maximum power output, it's ideal to connect the solar panels in series to achieve a higher voltage. A 150W panel typically provides a voltage range of 18-20V, so a bank of 4 panels would yield approximately 72-80V with a current of around 8A.

Compatible MPPT Controller Options

Given the voltage and current of the connected panels, there are two suitable configurations for connecting them to the MPPT charge controller.

Series Connection: Connect 4 panels in series to achieve a higher voltage of 72-80V, with a current of 8A. In this case, a 20A MPPT charge controller with a voltage rating of 100V would be suitable.

Parallel Connection in Two Strings: Connect 2 panels in each string in series to get 18-20V @ 16A, then connect both strings in parallel. This setup would result in a total of 36V-40V with 16A, requiring a 30A MPPT charge controller.

Choosing the correct configuration and MPPT controller is crucial for optimal system performance.

Loading Your System

Understanding your system's load is essential for determining the charging time of your batteries. Your system can run for a specific amount of time based on the size and operation of your load. Since you haven't mentioned the load size and depletion of the batteries, it's challenging to provide an accurate estimation of the charging time. However, we can provide some general guidelines.

Battery Capacity and Load Forecasting

Your battery bank is sized at 4.8kWh (2x200Ah x 12V), and assuming a satisfactory charging efficiency, you can expect your batteries to hold this capacity. The PV (Photovoltaic) power generation from your panels is small, on average, you may yield 1.5 to 2.5 kWh of power on a sunny day. This output varies due to the intermittent nature of solar radiation, but this provides a baseline for expected energy production.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To summarize, the correct MPPT charge controller for your system can be either a 20A MPPT controller with a 100V voltage rating or a 30A MPPT controller for a parallel connection setup. Your inverter (Victron 24V/5000av/120A) is adequately powerful to support your battery bank and inverter needs, but careful system management is crucial to ensure efficient energy use.

If you have specific questions about your system design or require further assistance, consider consulting a professional solar installer or electrical engineer for a tailored solution that meets your needs.