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 output 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 output 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.
10/260w solar panel and 4/12v gel batteries with 60amps mppt controller and 3kva inverter. How best the connection to maximise the output. Thanks.
If your 260W panels are rated at 24 volts for battery charging, then your batteries are connected as 48 volt (4 series), and your panels are configured as 2S5P, (2 series 5 parallel)
Hi Admin
Let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year
All the very best
Good morning Admin ( you are amazing at answering all the guys here) Thank you first of all for that
I have 8x 335w panels. I have added Inverter specs below . My problem comes to the MPPT input 115vdc
I ran 2x 6mm strings and can either series them or parallel them at the inverter
HOW do I get my Solar to give me close to 115v . I get 82volts at present BUT when it goes to 84v MPPT switches off and refuses to accept more power. (Is this the case with all MPPT??)
What config can I use to get Optimum voltage and wattage out of my system ? Can be a mixture of series and parallel. That is now 2 Questions .. I have used a 3,5KW Lithium 48 volt battery
Thanking you in Advance
Domingos
VOLTEX 5KVA
Inverter Mode:
Rated power: 5000VA/5000W
DC Input: 48VDC, 117A
AC Output: 230VAC, 50/60Hz, 22A
AC Charger Mode:
AC Input:230VAC, 50/60Hz, 35A
DC Output: 54VDC
Max. 60A, Default 30A
AC Output: 230VAC, 50/60Hz, 22A
Solar Charger Mode:
Rated Current: 80A
System Voltage: 48VDC
Min. Solar Voltage: 40VDC
Max. Solar Voltage (VOC): 115VDC
115 VDC is not a common voltage compared to 125 or 145VDC. With eight 335W, 72 cell panels, four in series would give about 144VDC and three is series about 108VDC which is nearer to your 115V. Increasing from 82V to 84V maybe a small increase of only 2 volts, but the current could be increasing exponentially above the VxI power limits of the MPPT, which could be why it shuts down (or its faulty). With eight panels, the only configuration is 4 in series with 2 parallel strings, or 2 in series with 4 parallel strings.
Thanks for the reply .
May I ask you another question pls.. Say my array is only giving 84 volts.. When intensity of light increases it can go to 87 even 91 (I have been monitoring) .. IF the MPPT can go to 115v WHY does it stop charging and switches off , until it comes back down to 84 ?? Is it a safeguard or could the MPPT be faulty ??
All the very best
Why does the voltage have to go to 115V when 84 volts is sufficient, How much current is it taking?, consult the user manual about maximum ratings
I know I am being an idiot and probably a nuisance But..
Could I not just do 2x series + 2x series and Parallel them to Inverter = 84 volts 1340 watts
Anlso 2 Parallel + 2 Parallel and series them to the Inverter = 84 volts 1340 watts
So both arrays are equal to 84 volts
I am worried about the 4 in series, as that would go to 148volts
Appreciate all … Thanks
Very helpful tutorial! Thanks! 🙂
help…living in ca with power outages and fires sucks..i just got 5 315 watts 36vdc 3 255 watt 24vdc panels ..before i order things what would give me the best bang for my little bucks .i need to do this right the first time so please help…yes i will add more panels in time but need solar power cause this gas gen is killing me to run 24-7…thanks…