Connecting Mismatched Solar Panels

How to wire mismatched solar panels in series parallel.

Connecting mismatched solar panels.

Solar queen at alte. The same voltage is the system voltage which for off grid solar panels systems is usually as low as either 6v or 12v. Check out my website for solar system blueprints suggested components and much more. Amy beaudet has been in the solar industry at the alte store since 2007.

The series connection is done by wiring the positive terminal of each panel to the negative terminal of the next panel a connection similar to the ones of the christmas lights until the final panel is connected to the charge controller or inverter. The rule of thumb when connecting solar panels directly to a battery is never connect more than c 10 watts where c is the capacity of your battery. For example a 110ah battery should never be connected to a panel more than 11w without a solar controller and if you are using a solar controller you do not need a blocking diode. Absolute interconnected power 150w 150w 150w 150w 600w.

I have two solar panels a sanyo hit 240hde4 35 5 v and 6 77 a at max power and a panasonic sanyo hit vbhn245sj25 44 3 v and 5 54 a at max power. Here is a very clear picture of how to wire two mismatched solar panels in parallel. What you need to now when mixing different wattage solar panels together. Having said that when panels are attached in series one of the panel may carry a rated power below the other panel because of the lower current spec of this solar panel with respect to the other modules in the chain that unit could tend to.

These panels are mismatched in both voltage and current so aren t ideally suited to being connected either in series or parallel. Connecting solar panels in series. Does off grid solar confuse you. Connecting solar panels in parallel is just the opposite of series connection and is used to increase the total output current of the array and hence the total output power while keeping the same voltage.

You can wire multiple solar panels with this method but you must pay attention to the current. When solar panels are wired in series the voltage of the panels adds together but the amperage remains the same. If your output value is greater than 70a your panels and your system can be damaged and suffer problems related to the management of this high. The following two tabs change content below.