Premium or Starter panels? Wattage Jumps?

[xsyntriknomad]

I notice Renogy has starter and premium kits on their site.  The premium are more expensive by nearly double (though the charge controller on the premium IS a 40W MPPT).  Is there a significant advantage to the premium panels?  I would be upgrading to an MPPT charger controller regardless (I believe I should anyway from what I have been told).  

Also, several people have told me to go from 200 watts to 400 watts if 200 isn't enough.  (Recommending I skip a 300 watts system because it's an 'off' number or something)  However, I planned and budgeted for 300 watts.  I think I could get by on 200 watts, but jumping to 400 seems excessive (though I understand the concept of never having too much) and I am not certain I am willing to push my budget that far.  Thoughts?

Thank you in advance for your knowledge and input!

 

[jimindenver]

I don't believe premium panels would be worth spending a lot more on but a MPPT controller would make the price go up considerably. The only reason you couldn't go with 300 watts is if you wanted to run the panels two sets of two in series paralleled together. You could run three panels in series depending on the controllers Voc limit.

 

[DuneElliot]

I PM'd GotSmart (former Renogy rep) who just helped install the Premium (Eclipse) panels for bLEEp because I had the same question. He said he thinks they are worth the extra money. I can't seem to find the info he mentioned but it seemed to be quite a difference the way he explained the numbers...from 15-18% or volts or something.

When I looked at the prices the kit was only about $400 more than the standard panels ($750 vs $1150).

Hopefully GotSmart will chime in with the information he already sent me

 

[GotSmart]

The Eclipse panels are a lot better than the average panel.  I just installed a permium 3 panel kit for bLEEp, and it was showing a charge coming in from the moon, during rain ~~~ 

His 3 panel kit is producing twice the power as my 2 panel pwm monochrystaline set up. 

Sorry Jim, this is the next generation in solar.

Those generate about 20% more power than the Monochrystaline.
They also have the bypass diodes to make them more effective in shaded situations.
What this means is that 5 of the eclips panels produce as much energy as 6 of the mono. They are also 1 1/2 lb lighter, and 6 inches shorter.
IMO, definately worth the extra investment over the 30 + year life of the panels

Monocrystalline panels come with high-efficiency cells that help increase module efficiency. Module efficiency: Eclipse 100W Monocrystalline: 18.35%, regular 100W Monocrystalline: 15.47%, 100W Polycrystalline: 14.56%.
Bypass diodes minimize power drop caused by shade and ensure excellent performance in low-light environments.

 

[John61CT]

It's not worth IMO paying any premium, better to be able to buy more. Just go ahead and buy the maximum that will fit your space.

Figure out the width and length combinations that will give maximum watts for your allocated dimensions. That may dictate a greater number of narrower panels, or running some "sideways" etc.

It definitely means figuring out watts per square foot, going for higher efficiency cells like 22% Sunpower.

IMO it is not good to buy a bundled set.

Select the controller that has customizable charging profiles, and will maximize the charging output from your panels chosen from above.

If you might have partial shading, better to go parallel rather than serial. If that means lower voltages 17-20V, make sure to watch your wire gauge vs distance, heavier gauge is better. Also you may not want to spend the extra for MPPT, look at an an excellent PWM like Trimetric + SC-2030.

If you are using portable panels away from the van, lets you add more panels and park in the shade, you need lighter wires, means higher voltages and MPPT.

 

[GotSmart]

This is why I am getting frusterated.  

Someone having a clue and big words (But no hands on factory training or experience) giving questionable advice.  

It is like planting a garden, but only planting radishes because that was the cheapest seeds.  :s

Also, several people have told me to go from 200 watts to 400 watts if 200 isn't enough.  (Recommending I skip a 300 watts system because it's an 'off' number or something)

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif] [/font]
A controller does not care about how many panels, just how much power.

If you do buy a bundeled kit, you can ask for, and recieve a discount.  Usually around 15% The best reason is to only have to deal with one source for all the components.  Renogy will have a record of all purchases, and go out of their way to keep the end user happy.

If you want to hook three panels together, get something like this.  

https://www.amazon.com/YEME-Branch-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y9Q2KMNDW1NWN2GT0DEQ

 

[galladanb]

Also what no one has mentioned in this thread yet, is that the Renogy Premium kit comes
with the Commander charge controller and the MT-5 meter.
This combination will allow you to customize your charging efficiency.

I'm sure Mr. GotSmart can s-plain the numbers better than I can, YES?

I chose the premium 200W kit for the very reasons mentioned so far, the Eclipse panels,
smaller in size but more efficient, the MPPT 20 AMP controller, the meter, the kit extras, etc.

I say, go big now or... Buy now, dont pay later... Big as possible, future planning, etc...

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I notice Renogy has starter and premium kits on their site.  The premium are more expensive by nearly double (though the charge controller on the premium IS a 40W MPPT).  Is there a significant advantage to the premium panels?  I would be upgrading to an MPPT charger controller regardless . . .

Also, several people have told me to go from 200 watts to 400 watts if 200 isn't enough.

Both the premium and starter panels are 100W, so they will both give the same power in full sun.  The premium panels give you a slightly smaller and lighter package.  Renogy makes the claim that the premium panels work better in partial shade but I didn't find any data backing it up on their web page.  Only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

It is the general consensus that one goes with as much solar as you have room/budget for.  MPPT is superior if your budget can afford it.  300W is fine; you will need a bigger controller (30 amp minimum) if run in parallel and a controller that can handle 36 volts if you want to run them in series.

IMO solar packages are for convenience (one stop shopping).  You can get better components for the same or less if you buy separately.  When I was researching my system (2 years ago) I was not impressed with Renogy's controllers.  The 10 gauge wires supplied are OK for 3 panels in series but have too much voltage drop for 300W in parallel.  I went with AWG 4 from roof the batteries and don't regret it.

My system:  2 X 100W Renogy starter panels (in parallel), Morningstar TS-45 charge controller, 208AH batteries.  There are only a couple of times in 2 years I haven't gotten back to 100% by sundown.

 -- Spiff

 

[GotSmart]

Both the premium and starter panels are 100W, so they will both give the same power in full sun.  The premium panels give you a slightly smaller and lighter package.  Renogy makes the claim that the premium panels work better in partial shade but I didn't find any data backing it up on their web page.  Only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

It is the general consensus that one goes with as much solar as you have room/budget for.  MPPT is superior if your budget can afford it.  300W is fine; you will need a bigger controller (30 amp minimum) if run in parallel and a controller that can handle 36 volts if you want to run them in series.

IMO solar packages are for convenience (one stop shopping).  You can get better components for the same or less if you buy separately.  When I was researching my system (2 years ago) I was not impressed with Renogy's controllers.  The 10 gauge wires supplied are OK for 3 panels in series but have too much voltage drop for 300W in parallel.  I went with AWG 4 from roof the batteries and don't regret it.

My system:  2 X 100W Renogy starter panels (in parallel), Morningstar TS-45 charge controller, 208AH batteries.  There are only a couple of times in 2 years I haven't gotten back to 100% by sundown.

 -- Spiff

YMMV ~~~

Both the premium and starter panels are 100W, so they will both give the same power in full sun. 

Monocrystalline panels come with high-efficiency cells that help increase module efficiency. Module efficiency: Eclipse 100W Monocrystalline: 18.35%, regular 100W Monocrystalline: 15.47%, 100W Polycrystalline: 14.56%.

No they do not.  EFFICIENCY ~~~

Renogy makes the claim that the premium panels work better in partial shade but I didn't find any data backing it up on their web page.  Only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

Bypass diodes minimize power drop caused by shade and ensure excellent performance in low-light environments.

Charging in the moonlight, rain, and until the sun went competely down.  I watched the system charging in those conditions.

 

[jimindenver]

John

I respect you enough to give the benefit of the doubt. That said I hope we meet up on a rainy day some time and I'll show you how a set of polys produce more than a TOKEN amount of power in the rain, in fact enough to keep this trailer going day in and out. I have been telling people monos were a crock for years and it was from side by side testing. The only reason the manufactures needed to convince people they should pay more was because the crystals were more expensive to grow and that came from the owner of Navajo solar who I know and discuss solar with. The ads always said they were better and the sheep followed, too bad they never were.

 

[grimmal]

We bought a Renogy 300 watt starter kit from Amazon warehouse deals cheaper than we could buy 3 panels from Renogy. The box came a little tore up but all inside worked fine.  We have it hooked up to House battery in the van along with the starting battery for the van. When we have the camper with us it hooks up to that one also. Seems to charge everything just fine. Always fills them back up, and we are heavy computer and tv users. It allows us to park where there is no electric or people. We don't see the need for more for us. It runs Tv's, laptops, all lights, fan and controls for fridge and hot water. For a basic entry level kit it works great.

 

[Almost There]

If you find that you're getting a better deal on someplace like Amazon, call Renogy direct.

I did and they were more than happy to match the price for me on the pair of Eclipse panels I bought.