Solar panel advice

[vavyn]

Need advice on additional solar panels to be added to my existing setup.

Currently I got a 2 x Growatt SPF 5000 ES inverter and 10 x fivestar 650w sola panels and now looking to add 4+ more panels. Unfortunately I couldn't find the same solar panels, is mixing solar panels a good idea if the voltages and amps are more or less the same?
Below are the panel specs for standard test conditions. Not sure which brands are good.
Prices for the panels are more or less the same.

Fivestar mono (What I have now)

BYD 550 Mono Solar

Jinko 550W

Seraphim 560W mono

Seraphim 555W Bifacial

Nominal Maximum power (PMax)	650 W	550 W	550 W	560 W	555 W (Front) 389 W (Back)
Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp)	51.2 V	42.49 V	40.90 V	42.56 V	42.1 V (Front) 42.34 V (Back)
Optimum operating current (Imp)	12.69 A	12.94 A	13.45 A	13.16 A	13.12 A (Front) 9.19 A ( Back)
Open circuit voltage (Voc)	60.92 V	50.32 V	49.62 V	49.90 V	49.80 V (Front) 49.78 V (Back)
Short Circuit Current (Isc)	13.58 A	13.61 A	14.03 A	14.21 A	14.10 A(Front) 9.94 A (Back)

 

[RonSwanson]

Need advice on additional solar panels to be added to my existing setup.

Currently I got a 2 x Growatt SPF 5000 ES inverter and 10 x fivestar 650w sola panels and now looking to add 4+ more panels. Unfortunately I couldn't find the same solar panels, is mixing solar panels a good idea if the voltages and amps are more or less the same?
Below are the panel specs for standard test conditions. Not sure which brands are good.
Prices for the panels are more or less the same.

Fivestar mono (What I have now)

BYD 550 Mono Solar

Jinko 550W

Seraphim 560W mono

Seraphim 555W Bifacial

Nominal Maximum power (PMax)	650 W	550 W	550 W	560 W	555 W (Front) 389 W (Back)
Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp)	51.2 V	42.49 V	40.90 V	42.56 V	42.1 V (Front) 42.34 V (Back)
Optimum operating current (Imp)	12.69 A	12.94 A	13.45 A	13.16 A	13.12 A (Front) 9.19 A ( Back)
Open circuit voltage (Voc)	60.92 V	50.32 V	49.62 V	49.90 V	49.80 V (Front) 49.78 V (Back)
Short Circuit Current (Isc)	13.58 A	13.61 A	14.03 A	14.21 A	14.10 A(Front) 9.94 A (Back)

I don't know the Growatt at all, but its manual states 450VDC as max and 150VDC as startup, operating range 120-430VDC. Max PV power 6000W. 1 string/ 1 MPPT, Max 100A?




Agreed that you can mix and match on the same string, but bear in mind:
In a series string, the voltages of the panels are additive, but max current defaults to the lowest panel amps in the string;
In a parallel string, the currents are additive, but max voltage will be the lowest voltage in the string.

How are your current string/s configured? 2 strings, 5 in series?

 

[vavyn]

My manual also says Max PV 6000W max 100A 1/1
Currently it is configured as 2 strings, 5 in series.

 

[abc98]

650w Mono Double Glass Bifacial Solar Panel Fivestar

650w Mono Double Glass Bifacial Solar Panels (Courier for panels are at your own risk)The Advantages of Bifacial Solar PanelsIncreased Efficiency. As bifacial modules can produce powers from both sides of the panel, there is an overall increase in energy generation. Bifacial solar panels can...

solarwarehousesa.com

May be able to source matching panels here

 

[somothabang]

Hey how you doing?

Hope you got your answer

Out of curiosity, do you use the ShinePhone app, or any other to monitor?

I bought one dongle, and I cannot seem to get data from the second inverter, and wondering if I should just buy the second one

 

[vavyn]

Hey how you doing?

Hope you got your answer

Out of curiosity, do you use the ShinePhone app, or any other to monitor?

I bought one dongle, and I cannot seem to get data from the second inverter, and wondering if I should just buy the second one

I stopped using the Shine app and switched to Solar Assistant. If you have two inverters, you’ll need a separate Wi-Fi dongle for each inverter.