The 400 watt solar panel to be efficient 

The 400 watt solar panel is a high-performance module. Renogy manufactures these rigid and strong solar modules.

They call it the Renogy 400W Monocrystalline Starter Kit. It is a High-Efficiency Monocrystalline Solar Panel. 

The system uses 4 x 100 Watt solar panels to deliver a peak output of up to 400 Watt on a sunny day.

Do it by making use of three pairs of branch connectors. The branch connectors come with the kit.

The modules come with TPT (Tedlar Polyester Tedlar) back sheets. This is to ensure smooth performance over a long period

They use heavy-duty anodized aluminum frames for solar panels. That provides for high-quality panel rigidity.

One can use these solar panels for many years. You will experience no faults, defects or operating failures.

It comes with a superb warranty for up to 25 years.

On a sunny day with 6 hours of sunlight in mid-summer, you can bargain for the generation of about 2 Kilowatt.

That is 6 x 400 watt = 2.4 Kilowatt.

Now you allow for a loss of 15% and you get 2400 X 85/100 =  2.04 KiloWatt

Throw away  0.04 and you get a fair 2 Kilowatt.

The 400 watt solar panel kit comes with;

Four Renogy 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panels

A 30A PWM Wanderer Charge Controller

 A 20ft 10AWG MC4 Adaptor Kit

 An 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable

Three pairs of branch connectors

Four sets of Z-brackets. (Four Z-brackets per set.)

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Operating the 400 watt solar panel

To make the 400 watt solar panel  fully operational we need  a charge controller, battery and an inverter.

It comes with a 30  Amp charge controller.

Size the battery by dividing the total watt by volts.

This is 400 watt x 6 hours sunlight ( Depending on your area.) X .85 for losses/ 12 volt x 2 for DOD.

This is 400 x 6 x .85 / 12 x 2 =  340 Amp Hours .

A 2 x 200 Ah batteries will be a good choice.

Size the inverter by deciding the max watts to be utilized at once.

The max output of the panel is 400 watt. 

Rule of thumb is to use an inverter 1.25 to 1.5 times more than max watts.

In this case we can work with a 400 x 1.5 = 600 watt. A 600 watt inverter will be a good choice.

400 Watt Solar Panel Specs per 100 Watt Module

Electrical

Maximum Power:                                                                                                        100Watt.

Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc):                                                                                           22.5V.

Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp):                                                                          18.9V.

Optimum Operating Current (Imp):                                                                          5.29A.

Short-Circuit Current (Isc):                                                                                            5.75A.

Temperature:                                                                                                   -40°F to +185°F.

Mechanical

Dimensions:                                                                                   47 x 21.3 x 8 inches.

Weight:                                                                                                          16.5 pounds.

Warranty

It comes with a 25-year power output warranty:

5 Year/95% efficiency rate.

10 Year/90% efficiency rate.

25 Year/80% efficiency rate.

The 400 watt solar panel kit also comes with a 5-year material and workmanship warranty.

Accessories  come with a 1-year material warranty.

Applications

Use the 400 watt solar panel starter kit for various off-grid applications such as:

RVs;

Trailers;

Boats;

Sheds;

Cabins;

Electric livestock fences;

The starter kit can provides years of quiet power production and grid independence.

The junction box

The IP 65 rated junction box is waterproof.

Do not worry about rainy and misty weather. The 400W solar panel will perform well under these harsh conditions.

The Corrosion-Resistant Aluminum Frame

The 400 watt solar panel comes with a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. This is for extended outdoor use.

These are heavy-duty frames allowing the panels to last for decades.

The 30A Wanderer Charge Controller

The Renogy Wanderer 30A Negative-Ground Charge Controller works with Pulse Width Modulation.

The condition of the battery determines how the current tapers from the solar panels.

The PWM algorithm reduces the charging of the battery.

This is when it reaches the regulation set point.

This is to avoid heating and gassing of the battery.

Charging will continue to ensure the provision of the largest amount of energy in a short time.

The 30 Amp charge controller Specs

Nominal Voltage:                                                                          12 VDC.

Rated Charge Current:                                                                       30A.

Max. PV Input Voltage:                                                                 25 VDC.

Max. PV Input Power:                                                            400W (12V).

Battery Type                                                        Sealed, gel and flooded.

Charge Stage                                                                                         3.

Grounding Type                                                                          Negative.

Nominal system voltage                                                               12V DC.

Dimensions                                                                    6.5 x 4.3 x 1.8 In.

Connecting the charge controller

Remember when connecting it is important to first connect the battery. Then connect the load and last the solar module itself.

This is to ensure safe operation and safeguard equipment against overload.

One should never connect the solar panel to the controller without a battery.

It is good practice to install the charge controller indoors to keep it well ventilated, cool and dry. Keep the controller away from damp.

It is better to install the charge controller indoors in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place.

Do not allow water to enter the controller.

The MC4 solar cable

The kit comes with a 20ft 10AWG MC4 Adaptor Kit. This is to connect the solar panels to the charge controller.

Also, an 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable to connect the charge controller to your battery.

Setting it up is quick and easy.

400 Watt solar panel mounting brackets

The 400-watt solar module kit includes 4 sets of Z-brackets.

One set per panel and four Z shape solar panel brackets per panel.

The brackets make mounting of the panels easy, safe and secure.

Advantages

• The high-performance Monocrystalline panels come with a solar cell efficiency of 21%.


• The panels are solid with corrosion-resistant aluminum frames. This makes it possible to use harsh weather conditions for many years to come.


• The TPT (Tedlar Polyester Tedlar) back sheet protects against ultra-violet radiation. Also against dryness, wind, dust, sand, and chemicals. It also prevents humidity and vapor penetration.


• The IP65 rated junction box protects against rain and damp.


• The pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel allow for fast and secure mounting.


• The output on all 4 panels is consistent.


• It is quite easy to put all the hardware in the 400 watt solar panel kit together.

• The price is reasonable. The instructions are straightforward and the packaging is of a high standard.

Disadvantages

Some people report that the screws in the charge controller are not strong enough. It is the ones that hold the wires from the solar panels.

It would be easier to connect the solar panels via four-way connectors.

To mention

The 400 watt solar panel kit is high quality and the panels are efficient, even on cloudy days.

The charge controller comes with many useful displays to track everything important.

The complete system is unbelievable easy to install.

In Conclusion

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