r/SolarDIY•
MyChocolates

Need Help Figuring out best Configuration for current Setup

Hello,

So i am needing a little help figuring out what would be the best way to better utilize my current setup. I know, at the moment i need to purchase and install more solar panels, but i need to wait a little to spend more money. I finally turned on my solar system about 2 weeks ago.

Current Setup - 8000w Sungold Power Off-Grind Inverter.

8 - 415W Solar Panels ~

16kw - 48v Storage.

At the moment, i have it setup to basically run on bypass mode unless there is sun, then it will supplement mains power. Left over, goes to the battery.

Current Average Daily Production is 6-8kw , this is due to a tree covering 2 of my panels until around noon ( i am working on talking to my neighbor about removing the branch) and also it has been raining and cloudy literally every day! Unless that is what i am supposed to be getting with 8 panels? I did see 9kw one day when it was pretty clear sky.

Question is, that right now, my battery is literally doing nothing, and i heard that keeping it at 100% is not good(its only been 3 days that i had it like this). Should i switch to basically use the battery to like 10-20%, then charge battery to 100% over the course of 2-3 days, run off battery for 4-6 hours until it gets to 10-20%, rinse and repeat. I had it like this , but i figured I'm loosing 10-20% of energy produced due to heat losses by charging and discharging battery.

Honestly, right now, i feel like replacing my 1970s windows, and 1970s glass double doors would be a better use of money than more solar panels. Since 90% of my energy used is my a/c.

Which is why i want to configure it for best efficiency at the moment. What would be the best configuration.

For Refence, here are the Running modes of this unit.

1- Pv Priority Mix Load with Mains, Excess Charges battery. Battery only used in Grid is unavailable. Battery charged by grid if PV is unavailable. This keeps battery charged, good for storms/backup power. Excess Energy if battery is charged is wasted.

2- Inverter First - PV first applied to load, supplemented by battery. Once battery is below Set Value (voltage), switches to main until battery is above Set Value (Voltage). Battery is charged by Solar. Cell balancing for Set value (default 120 minutes?)

3- Maximize Solar (similar to 2, but can't be customized) Uses battery to like 5%-10% - switches to main until battery is charged by solar til 100%, then switches to battery.(no battery balancing, no mix load with mains).

4- Same as #1 but PV for used primarily for battery charging. Then mix-load if battery is full. Excess energy wasted. Battery only used when Grid is unavailable.

What do you guys think?

Posted Sep 17, 2026, 3:23 AM UTC

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