Hello,
I'm planning to build a buck converter to optimize output of some solar panels (MPPT). I have access to two panels that produce 7 amps at 30V. They were designed to be used in a grid tied system. I'll be charging a 12 volt lead acid battery bank. The 20 volt panels are better suited to this but since I want to do the DC/DC conversion to maximize the power output does it matter what the source voltage is?
Is there a greater loss in efficiency in bucking 30V to 14V than 20V to 14V? Is the efficiency more about the electronics than the amount of change in the voltage? I can get a better price per watt on the 30V panels, so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the savings.
Thanks.
I'm planning to build a buck converter to optimize output of some solar panels (MPPT). I have access to two panels that produce 7 amps at 30V. They were designed to be used in a grid tied system. I'll be charging a 12 volt lead acid battery bank. The 20 volt panels are better suited to this but since I want to do the DC/DC conversion to maximize the power output does it matter what the source voltage is?
Is there a greater loss in efficiency in bucking 30V to 14V than 20V to 14V? Is the efficiency more about the electronics than the amount of change in the voltage? I can get a better price per watt on the 30V panels, so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the savings.
Thanks.