I'm about to purchase my solar system and am focused on the panels at this point in time. Ideally I will purchase two (2) 200 watt panels or better at the outset.

There is a new solar technology that will bring down the cost of solar panels considerably but I can't wait for them to hit the market. I will need to make my purchases within the next three months.

Sun Electronics has SUN panels for $2.75 per watt. Two of their SUN-A-210 for $577.50 each would be a good start for me as well as the minimal amount of wattage with which I would want to build a system (400watts plus). Specs per panel:

• 210 watts[/*:m:3ja6imi7]
• 11.27 Imp[/*:m:3ja6imi7]
• 18.7 Vp[/*:m:3ja6imi7][/list:u:3ja6imi7]Now here's my question for the electrical experts here. I would like to run a 48 volt system. This would best be accomplished by having four identically rated solar panels wired into a bank of deep cycling batteries wired for a 48 volt output.

Am I wrong to think that I can run two 210 watt (420 watt total) solar panels into a battery bank that would be setup and wired in such a way as to output 48 volts but allow for 12 or 24 volt input from the panels through the charge controller? Assuming I can find a charge controller that will allow for varying inputs of voltage depending on the number and setup of the solar array.

In the alternative Sun Electronics has 90 watt solar panels that if I purchased four would be about the same cost as the two 210 watt panels. Right off the bat I could wire these four panels to accommodate a 48 volt system since each panel outputs 12volt x 4 equals 48 volts. There are plenty of 48 volt charge controllers and this may eliminate some of the hassle of trying to run a 48 volt system with two solar panels. There again though if the battery bank is wired to output 48 volts it seems that the number of panels is irrelevant.

I will be starting with at least 8 six (6) volt deep cycling batteries in my battery bank and will add at least 8 more in the coming months.

To summarize my query:

1. Will two 210watt panels suffice to charge a bank of 6volt batteries configured to output 48 volts?

2. I can't afford four 210 panels but could purchase four 90 watt panels which would provide a 48 watt output from the panels when wired correctly. This would feed through a 48 volt charge controller and into the battery bank. Would this be the better option if a 48 volt system is my ultimate goal?

It seems that if running just two larger panels I would need only find a charge controller that can switch between the various voltages 12, 24, 36, 48, and output to the desired voltage to charge the battery bank or run appliances.

Thanks in advance. I hope I've explained my goals and desired application adequately. I will also have two Honda EU2000i generators with the coupler making it possible to run them in parallel when large amounts of power are needed for running power tools, air compressors, and the like. Will also use the generators to charge the battery bank as necessary but we get several hours of sun light at least 325 or more days a year.

Most of what I'll be running will be laptop computers, the (brand) new led 12 volt bulbs now on the market, radio, smaller battery recharging, and if necessary security lighting and security camera system.

By the way these new bulbs require only 1.5 watts of power but will output 40 watts of light.