XW Solar Charge Controller Installation
Installing the Charge Controller
This chapter describes installing the XW Solar Charge Controller with the XW Power System, including the power distribution panel. For
PV Array Requirements
Each Charge Controller must be connected to its own PV array. For optimum performance, each individual array must be composed of the same type of solar panel, with the same Voc and Vmp specifications.
Important: The following information provides only general guidelines. The installation and rated performance of your PV array is subject to inspection and approval by the authority having jurisdiction.
Array Size
For PV array sizing guidelines, use the XW Solar Charge Controller PV array sizing tool accessible from www.xantrex.com/support.
Although the Solar Charge Controller can harvest a maximum of 3500 W, the PV array size can be as large as 6720 W (based on 48 A × 140 Vdc = W).
Array Voltage
CAUTION; Equipment Damage
The PV array voltage must never exceed 150 Voc (open circuit voltage) under any conditions.
The maximum PV array voltage for XW Solar Charge Controller MPPT operation is 140 Vdc.
When calculating PV array size for the XW Solar Charge Controller, consider the expected Voc of the array under all possible conditions. Panel voltage increases with decreasing temperature. The array needs to be sized so that 150 Vdc does not occur, even at the lowest expected panel temperature during open circuit. The panel manufacturer provides a Voc rating per panel, but it is usually rated at 25 °C (77 °F).
Array Current
Important: The Isc (short circuit current) rating of the array must not exceed the 60 A input current rating of the XW Solar Charge Controller at any time.
Panels rated up to 48 A at 25 °C (77 °F) are recommended to allow for increases in Isc at low panel temperatures and at solar noon. Ensure that the Isc rating under all conditions does not exceed 60 A. A factor of 1.25 is applied to the rated Isc at 25 °C (77 °F) when the panel is colder than
