2020 315RLTS solar ready system capacity

[Stevocanada]

Hello all I have installed two 100 watt panels with a 30 amp controller. The panels are 10 amp. My question is this: how much load can the factory installed cables handle? It seems that if I increase the amount of panels and upsize the controller at some point the cables will become the weakest link? I have read that people have pulled new cables for their systems using the factory ones as the fish, is this really necessary?

[TucsonJim]

Hello all I have installed two 100 watt panels with a 30 amp controller. The panels are 10 amp. My question is this: how much load can the factory installed cables handle? It seems that if I increase the amount of panels and upsize the controller at some point the cables will become the weakest link? I have read that people have pulled new cables for their systems using the factory ones as the fish, is this really necessary?

The 10 AWG wires can handle quite a bit of current. I'm using 10 AWG with 800 watts. I have two strings of panels. Each string consists of four panels in series at 100 watts each. Then, the two strings are tied together to form a parallel connection down to the controller. The driving factor is the current in the wires. If you run your panels in series, the voltage increases and the current stays the same. If you connect the panels in parallel, the voltage stays the same and the current increases.

I prefer to use this chart for calculating acceptable current and voltage drops.

[Stevocanada]

Thanks for the input, interesting stuff.

[openrangeowners]

I just ordered 2 additional panels for 1200 watts total - currently have 800 watts (2 series 200 watt panels in 2 parallel banks - will add the new panels in series - 3 series 200 watt panels in 2 parallel banks. Still safely using the existing 10AWG wiring and MC4 connectors from the roof. Running a 150/85 charge controller.

[Stevocanada]

Thanks for your reply/info.