“Unless you have a large solar array…”
Here’s the post I am restraining myself from addressing on the forum
Unless you have a large solar array, MPPT are not much better. If you have high voltage panels, the MPPT can produce a bit more power. That is why folks use series connections as that doubles the voltage. You are better served with a quality PWM than with a cheap MPPT. I have 400 watts on the roof with a 45 amp PWM by Morningstar. The panels are parallel. If one has shadow, the others do not suffer.
So much wrong in just one paragraph.
[And so much wrong in my response! See updates below]
Unless you have a large solar array, MPPT are not much better.
Array size is immaterial.
If you have high voltage panels, the MPPT can produce a bit more power.
A bit? Try double the power of PWM during Bulk and other maxxed-out scenarios. PWM is hamstrung by battery voltage, and will never be able to use the power available in the top “half” of Vpanel.
That is why folks use series connections as that doubles the voltage.
Folks can use series; they don’t have to. They are much more likely to run high-voltage panels (20-24v) because they are cheaper by the watt.
You are better served with a quality PWM than with a cheap MPPT.
In what way? We know it’s not in harvesting solar energy. Or in ability to use different voltage panels.
Let’s compare systems: Charge controller, display, temp probe, and a way to configure the setpoints.
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Tracer 4210A MPPT, programmed by display: $200.
As for, I will keep the higher output of the MPPT. and be very happy of the extra $100-$150 in my pocket.
[Note: my pricing was wrong; thanks to Jereny for catching it.
I have 400 watts on the roof with a 45 amp PWM by Morningstar
I do like the Morningstar gear; it’s very nice. But a 45A controller for ~31A of panel?
You can overpanel MPPT (especially Morningstar, as with their TS-45 MPPT) but not PWM. This means we can drop down to the Tracer 3210A setup for $154. Hmmm, half the price of the limited PWM setup.
The panels are parallel. If one has shadow, the others do not suffer.
You do realize that has nothing to do with the controller, right?