Can this be used with 36V panel input voltage to charge a 12V battery bank?

Yes, the whole idea behind virtually all MPPT controllers is to have something that will accept the solar power (at any voltage level greater than the batteries up to a max like 100V) and convert that power to what's best for the batteries. So these will take in power like 60V 5A from solar and convert that to ~14V 21A charge to a 12V battery. You should see in the specs something like "max input voltage-100V" and "auto detect for 12V or 24V battery systems".So a 36V panel can charge a 12V battery efficiently with this MPPT controller. With cheap controller that cost under $30, they would just act like an "On-off" switch where it's best to match voltages (like use a "12V panel" with 12V batteries). The reason is because they often just send the solar power thru like a switch and using a 36V panel with say 8A output will send the 8A thru, but drop the 36V down to ~14V (so you get 14V*8A=102 watts from a panel labeled "36V*8A=292watt"). Why buy a ~300 watt panel to only get 100 watts of power? That's how big a waste the cheap controllers would be in that situation (and why they are so cheap compared to these).

I don't understand how you can use two separate controllers charging the same battery bank? Wouldn't one supplying the current confuse the other one?

Solar controllers use battery voltage not current to determine charge level and the amount of current to supply. If another controller causes voltage to rise, the first controller backs off its current, and vice versa, so they can easily work in tandem.

I have a 255W panel, with a ~36V output no load (open circuit). If I hook it up to the controller, will I be able to extract the 255W under full sun?

Depends on your battery bank. You're controller can only put into the batteries what they can handle at the given charge they are at depending on battery type you have. I have roughly the same solar specs. At 285 watts. But the most I seen dished to my battery is 14 volts or so. At 14 amps or so. Which is around 200 watts. So it's good but also remember it's smart so it's not trying to fry your battery. It has internal settings to not screw up your battery. But I'm sure if you had a 24 volt batt bank it should be able to extract more from sun. But still depends on current status of your battery.

When they say : "max.pv input power: 12v/520w,24v/1024w" do they mean : if the solar panel voltage is 24v you can add up to 1024w (so 2 x 300w is ok?)

Its all about amperage. 12v/520w = 43.3amps. 24v/1024w= 42.7amps. If your setup is 12v/600w = 50amps. You will be theoretically over the 40 amps controller capacity... but you are not likely to even come close to 50 amps output, because solar at least in my experience never runs even close to the max rated power output...

Display type	LCD
Manufacturer	EPSolar
Product Dimensions	24.99 x 15.01 x 16 cm; 1.3 kg
Specification met	certified frustration-free
Batteries required	No

EPEVERMPPT Solar Charge Controller 20A Tracer2210AN + Remote Meter MT50+Temp Sensor Cable Solar Charge with LCD Display for Lithium, Sealed, AGM Battery Charging

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