TriStar MPPT Competitive Comparison and Advantages

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TriStar MPPT™ 60 Competitive Advantages
MPPT Controller Comparison Criteria
Morningstar TriStar MPPT
OutBack FLEXmax 60/80
Schneider XW 60 150
Controller Efficiency
• Peak Efficiency = 99%
• Multi-Stage power >+3% higher efficiency at
lower power
• Highest efficiency for all operating conditions
• Peak Efficiency = 98.1%
• 2% efficiency drop at full
high power levels
• >3% less efficient than TS
-
MPPT at low power
• Not published but tested at lower
efficiency under all operating
conditions
• >3% less efficient than the TS-
MPPT at low power
Self-Consumption
• 1.7W (+1W with Ethernet)
• No fans
• 9 Watts max
• Fan uses power
• 4 Watts max
• No fans
• Highest idle power usage
Reliability, Performance & Operation
• Epoxy Encapsulated Inductors
• Conformally Coated Circuit Boards
• No fans
• No mechanical relays
• Noisy Fans
• Mechanical Relays
• Both prone to failure
• Mechanical relays
prone to failure
• Relays make irritating clicking
noise
Ambient Operating Temperature Rating at
Full Power
-40°C to +45°C
-40°C to +40°C
-20°C to +45°C
MPPT Tracking Accuracy & Efficiency
• ¼ - ½ second sweep
• Adjusts frequency of sweeps for conditions
• Losses power due to very slow
tracking
• 30-60 second sweep
• Can get stuck on non-maximum
power point
PC / Remote Communication Capabilities
(Built-In or Auxiliary)
Open or Proprietary
• Ethernet,
EIA-232 orEIA-485
• MODBUS Open Industry-Standard Protocol
• Mate/Mate2 - RS-232 only
• Costly Mate3 - Ethernet (Non-
Industry Standard)
• XW CT- PC connection only
configuration/firmware only
• Added cost
Voltage Sensor - obtains accurate battery
voltage level so there is no undercharging
due to voltage drop
• Voltage sensor
• 16 to 24 AWG terminal
• Operator must measure V
battery & calibrate
• No Voltage Sensor
• No Calibration Option
Form Factor / Size
29 x 13 x 14.3 cm
4.17 kg
35 / 41.3 x 14.6 x 11.4 cm
5.28 / 5.53 kg
40% larger by volume
36.8 x 14.6 x 14 cm
4.88 kg
Radio Frequency Radiation Interference /
FCC Class B Part 15 Compliance
FCC Class B Part 15 Compliant
No FCC Compliancy
FCC Class B Part 15 Compliant
Consistency of Ownership & Management
• 20+ Years of the same:
• Ownership
• Management
• Long-term Employees
• Taken over by larger Corp
• New president & large turnover
of employees
• Manufacturing in China
• Taken over by large Corp
• Degraded return policy
• Major turnover in management
Experience
• Over 2 million solar charge controller & inverter
installations
• Available from over 230 long-term authorized
Morningstar distributors
• Installed in over 111 countries
• Inverter supplier primarily
• Electrical distribution and inverter
supplier primarily