PIP5048MS vs PIP5048MG MPPT Solar Charge Controller/Inverter

Hi Everyone,

While I'm still in the process of testing and collecting batteries I'm already making future plans to (ultimately) power our house completely off grid. I'm planning to go with a 48V set-up, and starting with one 5kW MPP Solar inverter, when required expand by adding extra in parallel. While looking at the available models from MPP Solar I've come across the following models: PIP5048MS and PIP5048MG. The second is the newer model, and as far as I can see the only (for me) significant change is in the built in MPPT solar controller. See the below specification sheet:

I'm also planning out our solar set up. I'm planning on starting with 4 300W Canadian Solar panels (datasheet, see 300MS), later we will add more panels as our set-up grows. Now here's where it becomes tricky (for me), and I'd like to ask for your advice:

1. The panels have a optimal operating voltage (Vmp) of 32.5V and a Voc of 39.7V. If I ware to connect the 4 panels in series I'd end up with a Vmp 130V and a Voc 158.8V, correct?

2. The MPP PIP 5048MS has a MPPT range of 60 - 115V and the 5048MG has a MPPT range of 120 - 430V.
With the mentioned four panels in series I'd be just above the MPPT range of the MS (using the Vmp and not Voc), and when connecting 2 panels in series I'd be just narrowly in the MPPT range.
With the PIP 5048MG with the four panels in series I'd be just narrowly in the the MPPT range, thus I with a bit cloudy weather I'd be just below the MPPT range thus won't yield any solar energy, correct?

Considering my starting point, and possible expansion at a later date, what would you suggest me to do? Go for the MS or MG? And what wiring strategy would you recommend me for my (starting) set-up?

Best regards,
Michel from Curaao

I have the 4048MS and have 8 x 255W panels wired in sets of 2 each. Later on when I add more panels, I will rewire them in 4 sets of 3 in series, pumping up the VOC to 108V.

The main differences between the 5048S and 5048G, is that the 5048G can run without batteries, thus in " grid tie" mode. Both of them have an MPPT though.

If it was me, I would go for the 5048G since grid-tie tend to be more efficient. But in your case you would need an additional panel to start out.

That I do not open a new thread, I have very similar question to Michels'.

I am new into Solar energy, and recently I was having a chance to get some 233W modules for very cheap. I buy 4 of them. The information are in the attached picture:




I want to connect 4 in series on the ISolar SMV II 3K EASUN Hybrid Inverter, because I don't have any batteries. But I would like to run 140W - fridgeconstantly and 620W water pump - occasionally.My question here is similar to OP:

While the Inverter is running without the batteries, his MPPT Range is from 120VDC - 450VDC:



Each of my4 panels haveVmp 29.3V and Voc 37V. So my question here is, will those Inverter run, and how much pre-connects between grid and solar panels will I fall face? Is it OK to buy such inverter if I barely adequate the number of V?

The second question is: I have 2 spare 12V50W panels with somewhere around 18Voc. Can I connect in parallel two of those with 4 mentioned above, to get some V, or will this cape my A, to those two smaller Amperage output on the entire system?

Will be ok, to buy one more panel (or even more), or it is more meaningful to buy lower mppt range Inverter, and just wire some 18650 in 24V, just so that it starts up?

Thank you for all the info!

Urajmal said:

That I do not open a new thread, I have very similar question to Michels'.

I am new into Solar energy, and recently I was having a chance to get some 233W modules for very cheap. I buy 4 of them. The information are in the attached picture:




I want to connect 4 in series on the ISolar SMV II 3K EASUN Hybrid Inverter, because I don't have any batteries. But I would like to run 140W - fridgeconstantly and 620W water pump - occasionally.My question here is similar to OP:

While the Inverter is running without the batteries, his MPPT Range is from 120VDC - 450VDC:



Each of my4 panels haveVmp 29.3V and Voc 37V. So my question here is, will those Inverter run, and how much pre-connects between grid and solar panels will I fall face? Is it OK to buy such inverter if I barely adequate the number of V?

The second question is: I have 2 spare 12V50W panels with somewhere around 18Voc. Can I connect in parallel two of those with 4 mentioned above, to get some V, or will this cape my A, to those two smaller Amperage output on the entire system?

Will be ok, to buy one more panel (or even more), or it is more meaningful to buy lower mppt range Inverter, and just wire some 18650 in 24V, just so that it starts up?

Thank you for all the info!

Click to expand...

The pic shows panels I would call 24v. You cannot really mix 12v panels into that. I'm sure someone had triedbut it still should not be done.