My barn is powered by solar; currently have three 200w Hightec panels wired in series, going to a Renogy Rover 40A MPPT controller, charging four Duracell 6V GC2 golf cart batteries in series, powering a 24V AIMS 2000W inverter/charger. Usable power from full batteries @ 25.6V to 50% depth of discharge is 2500W.

I have three more panels to install for two parallel 600W strings, 1200W total PV. My panels are oriented west-southwest, so not ideal, and I've never generated more than 450W/75% from my current three-panel string.

I'm about to pull the trigger on an aeration system, which will be powered by my barn solar and therefore the solar is a significant limiting factor. I'm torn between getting a larger diaphragm pump that will be near maxed out on my 0.4A, 12' deep pond (I think a single 9" or 12" diffuser would be fine, two 9" might be pushing it with diffusers at 10' depth) because it is so much more energy efficient, or going with a 1/4hp rocking piston pump that uses twice the energy but more CFMs at higher PSI, allowing for faster turnover and shorter run time.

At a MINIMUM I would go with 200w of PV into a MPPT controller, and two 6V GC2 batteries in series. Yes there's a bit more upfront investment, but it'll help alleviate headaches from compromised equipment down the road.

Last edited by Paul FNG; 08/26/19 03:19 PM.