Connecting Solar Panels Together
How to Connect Solar Panels Together
Connecting solar panels together is a simple and effective way of increasing your solar power capabilities. Going green is a great idea, and as the sun is our ultimate power source, it makes sense to utilize this energy to power our homes. As solar power becomes more accessible, more and more homeowners are buying photovoltaic solar panels.
However, these photovoltaic solar panels can be very costly so buying them over time helps to spread the cost. But the problem then becomes how do we connect these extra solar panels together to increase the voltage and power output of what’s already there.
The trick here when connecting solar panels together is to choose a connection method that is going to give you the most energy efficient configuration for your particular requirements.
Connecting solar panels together can seem like a daunting task when you first start to look at how it should be done, but connecting multiple solar panels together is not that hard with a little thought. Wiring solar panels together in either parallel or series combinations to make larger arrays is an often overlooked, yet completely essential part of any well designed solar power system.
There are three basic but very different ways of connecting solar panels together and each connection method is designed for a specific purpose. For example, to produce more output voltage or to produce more current.
Solar photovoltaic panels can be electrically connected together in series to increase the voltage output, or they can be connected together in parallel to increase the output amperage. Solar pv panels can also be wired together in both series and parallel combinations to increase both the output voltage and current to produce a higher wattage array.
Whether you are connecting two or more solar panels, as long as you understand the basic principles of how connecting multiple solar panels together increases power and how each of these wiring methods works, you can easily decide on how to wire your own panels together. After all connecting solar panels together correctly can greatly improve the efficiency of your solar system.
Connecting Solar Panels Together in Series
The first method we will look at for connecting solar panels together is what’s known as “Series Wiring“. The electrical connection of solar panels in series increases the total system ouput voltage. Series connected solar panels are generally used when you have a grid connected inverter or charge controller that requires 24 volts or more. To series wire the panels together you connect the positive terminal to the negative terminal of each panel until you are left with a single positive and negative connection.
Solar panels in series add up or sum the voltages produced by each individual panel, giving the total output voltage of the array as shown.
Solar Panels in Series of Same Characteristics
In this method ALL the solar panels are of the same type and power rating. The total voltage output becomes the sum of the voltage output of each panel. Using the same three 6 volt, 3.0 amp panels from above, we can see that when these pv panels are connected together in series, the array will produce an ouput voltage of 18 Volts (6 + 6 + 6) at 3.0 Amperes, giving 54 Watts (volts x amps) at full sun.
Now lets look at connecting solar panels in series with different nominal voltages but with identical current ratings.
Solar Panels in Series of Different Voltages
In this method all the solar panels are of different types and power rating but have a common current rating. When they are connected together in series, the array produces 21 volts at 3.0 amps, or 63 watts. Again the output amperage will remain the same as before at 3.0 amps but the voltage output jumps to 21 volts (5 + 7 + 9) .
Finally, lets look at connecting solar panels in series with completely different nominal voltages and different current ratings.
Solar Panels in Series of Different Currents
In this method all the solar panels are of different types and power rating. The individual panel voltages will add together as before, but this time the amperage will be limited to the value of the lowest panel in the series string, in this case 1 Ampere. Then the array will produce 19 Volts (3 + 7 + 9) at 1.0 Ampere only, or only 19 watts out of a possible 69 watts available reducing the arrays efficiency.
We can see that the solar panel rated at 9 volts, 5 amps, will only use one fifth or 20% of its maximum current potential reducing its efficiency and wasting money on the purchase of this solar panel. Connecting solar panels in series with different current ratings should only be used provisionally, as the solar panel with the lowest rated current determines the current output of the whole array.
Connecting Solar Panels Together in Parallel
The next method we will look at of connecting solar panels together is what’s known as “Parallel Wiring“. Connecting solar panels together in parallel is used to boost the total system current and is the reverse of the series connection. For parallel connected solar panels you connect all the positive terminals together (positive to positive) and all of the negative terminals together (negative to negative) until you are left with a single positive and negative connection to attach to your regulator and batteries.
When you connect solar panels together in parallel, the total voltage output remains the same as it would for a single panel, but the output current becomes the sum of the output of each panel as shown.
Solar Panels in Parallel of Same Characteristics
In this method ALL the solar panels are of the same type and power rating. Using the same three 6 Volt, 3.0 Amp panels as above, the total output of the panels, when connected together in parallel, the output voltage still remains at the same value of 6 volts, but the total amperage has now increased to 9.0 Amperes (3 + 3 + 3), producing 54 watts at full sun.
But what if our newly acquired solar panels are non-identical, how will this affect the other panels. We have seen that the currents add together, so no real problem there, just as long as the panel voltages are the same and the output voltage remains constant. Lets look at connecting solar panels in parallel with different nominal voltages and different current ratings.
Solar Panels in Parallel with Different Voltages and Currents
Here the parallel currents add up as before but the voltage adjusts to the lowest value, in this case 3 volts or some voltage value very close to 3 volts. Solar panels must have the same output voltage to be useful in parallel. If one panel has a higher voltage it will supply the load current to the degree that its output voltage drops to that of the lower voltage panel.
We can see that the solar panel rated at 9 volts, 5 amps, will only operate at a maximum voltage of 3 volts as its operation is being influenced by the smaller panel, reducing its efficiency and wasting money on the purchase of this higher power solar panel. Connecting solar panels in parallel with different voltage ratings is not recommended as the solar panel with the lowest rated voltage determines the voltage output of the whole array.
Then when connecting solar panels together in parallel it is important that they ALL have the same nominal voltage value, but it is not necessary that they have the same ampere value.
Connecting Solar Panels Together Summary
Connecting solar panels together to form bigger arrays is not all that complicated. How many series or parallel strings of panels you make up per array depends on what amount of voltage and current you are aiming for. If you are designing a 12 volt battery charging system than parallel wiring is perfect. If you are looking at a higher voltage grid connected system, than you’re probably going to want to go with a series or series-parallel combination depending on the number of solar panels you have.
But for a simple reference in regards to how to connect solar panels together in either parallel or series wiring configurations, just remember that parallel wiring = more amperes, and series wiring = more voltage, and with the right type and combination of solar panels you can power just about any electrical device you may have in your home.
For more information about Connecting Solar Panels Together in either series or parallel combinations, or to obtain more information about the different types of solar panels available, or to explore the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power in your home, then Click Here to order your copy from Amazon today and learn more about designing, wiring and installing off-grid photovoltaic solar electric systems in your home.
Hi
If connected two or more different photovoltaic panel do not required diode in serial?
If connect diode some pv do not product energy because the diode is polarity reverse.
How bypass that problem?
Thank you.
Hi guys, I have 4 x 200w panels (only 3 connected) but may be adding another 2 x 200w (all the same, some time in the future). i have an mppt dcdc charger 50a which can handle 660w. Will need to ad another mppt (60a) controller when the 3 other panels are installed. All of this feeding 2 x 200a life po4 batteries plus 500a shunt and a 2000w PSW inverter charger. How do you recommend to connect these items. They are going into my caravan so a 12v dc system.
i see having dcdc/ mppt output connected to battery bank. inverter charger (240v) connected to battery bank. shunt connected to battery bank. panel configuration not sure of ??
Please sir if I have 5 solar panel of 280watt and 42.25volt and 6.63A each and one 200watt panel 36.90volt, 5.42A to power 24volt system… How should I connect my panel
Pls respond with my Gmail
What are the DC input characteristics of your charge controller
How to connect 50w,20w, and 10w panels to charge two 12v batteries.in parallel
In parallel, and the 10W panel will dominate
Hi sir my name is Suleiman I have a question about panels connection I have a 3 panels 180watt and then 1 200v battery and 12v inverter how to connect panels sir
A 200v battery is a very big battery
How do I wire 5 panels of 300w/10.2amps/32volts to obtain a 24volt system?
Again, clearly it will depend on the DC input characteristics of your connected 24V charge controller. One series string of 2, 3, 4, or 5 panels, or two parallel branches of 2 panels per branch (2S2P).
I have 4 solar panel equivalent 840 2 PCs 600w and the other 2 is 240w is it possible to work this solars together
If I want to connect 330w×9pannel to produce 48v system , how will I go about it, and the panel are 12
Clearly, 48 divide by 12 equals 4 panels per series string. 2 series strings in parallel equals 8 panels, plus one unused spare.
My name is Nelson. The Question i have is this: If 14 solar (PV)panels of 200 watts each, and 18.9V each and, the inverter provided is 3.5KVA, How will the Panels be connected; to enable the 3.5kva inverter produce a 240volts output to the load? Your reply to my email will be highly appreciated, thanks.
If you have 14, 200 watt panels, then the maximum power you can generate at full sun would be 2800 watts, or 2.8kva. Clearly your panel configuration will depend on the DC input specifications of your inveter.
You could connect your 14 panels together in one series string to give: 14 x 18.9 = 265 volts, or 7 in series and two parallel branches (7S2P) giving 7 x 18.9 = 132 volts.
if I have 5 panels each one of them is 550 watt, 49 volt and 13 ampere, connecting on series to produce 2750 watt and 245 volt or some close to that, my hybrid inverter mppt is 120-450 volt and its nominal operating voltage at solar charger mode is 360 VDC knowing that the inverter I have works even without batteries but I will connect the batteries for stability because I think the panels voltage are not enough, the inverter is 48 volt and its rated power is 5000 watt, I will connect 4 batteries as I told you. will the inverter work knowing that my loads are less than 2000 watt in daytime with the sun? the next question, one of my panels has fallen from the roof and its production became 44 volt and 4.5 ampere, can I use it with the 4 panels to benefit from the voltage, I mean is there any way, diode or somthing like that from the market that can allow only the voltage without letting the 4.5 amperes of the broken panel to flow?
1. If your 2000 watts is within the specification of the inverter then yes. 5000 watts will be its maximum power rating.
2. Photovoltaic (PV) panels generate voltage when exposed to sunlight. This voltage is generated whether the panel is connected to a load or not (Vmp versus Voc). Electric current ONLY flows around a closed circuit. Thus if the panel is open-circuited, no current flows. If the panel is connected to a load, then a closed path is created for current to flow. The magnitude of the current will depend on the impedance of the connected load. Then no, if you connect the damaged panel to the rest of your system, electric current will flow when there is sufficient sunlight.