Post #3673052

2026-07-08 13:34 UTC

Update on this solar install I received my new 20m wires that allow me to plug each panel independently into a slot of the inverter (Previously they were sharing a pair of 20m wires with a Y junction and they were plugged into the sole solar input directly into the battery, with a cap at 500W but I never saw anything better than 460W) Step one, I disconnected the solar from the back of the battery: was charging at 420W at the time Step two, I connected the inverter to the battery and one of the panels: 360W (the panels are rated 400W) Step three, added the second panel on the other slot: immediately, input jumped to 600W I’m dubious at this very specific and round number, the inverter is rated for 1200W so I must be missing something, but that’s still a nice improvement! #solar

Replies (1)

@GuillaumeRossolini@infosec.exchange 2026-07-18 16:23

Here’s a bit of misinformation about solar and orientation/tilt: stop saying that the angle towards the sun only has a 7% effect on the power that is harvested, it isn’t true Sometimes I get the timing wrong, like today when I started vacuuming the house too late, I depleted 60% of the battery and there wasn’t enough time to get it back to full charge So I just reoriented the eastern-facing panel towards the west, and problem fixed! The battery had been charging at a steady 320W (not shown in the attached pictures); it immediately jumped to a steady 560W after the change, which is still a far cry from their rated maximum (400W each) That’s a +75% improvement! #solar #cat

Open ##3914691