How To Wire Solar Panels In Series And Parallel

Off grid ham original graphic 2018.

How to wire solar panels in series and parallel.

Wiring solar panels in parallel when an installer wires your solar panels in parallel each panel s wires are connected to a centralized wire leading from the roof. Maximum power point tracking mppt charge controllers are for wiring solar panels in a series where pulse width modulation pwm charge controllers are used to wire solar panels in parallel. To solve this problem and to optimize the energy performance of the entire system it is advisable to wire two panels in series obtaining a doubling of the voltage and then wire in parallel the three pairs previously wired in series so as to have doubled the voltage and tripled the current. To do this connect the first 2 solar panels in series and do the same for the rest two solar panels.

For this connection a string is created by 2 or more panels in series. An electronic circuit is simply a path electrons can flow through. Simply plug the positive of one panel to the negative of another and chain them together. Make two pairs of two series connected solar panels.

4 panels in series needs to be parallel with another 4 panels in series or there will be some serious power loss. Often times for larger systems in order to stay within those parameters of amperage and voltage we have to be creative and utilize a series parallel connection. Connecting the panels is very straightforward. To wire two or more solar panels and batteries in parallel simply connect the positive terminal of solar panel or battery to the positive terminal of solar panel or battery and vise versa respectively as shown in the fig below.

The maximum voltage output of your solar array is limited only to what your controller can handle. Before we get into whether solar panels are better connected in series or in parallel let s talk a little about wiring basics starting with circuits. When you wire in series there is just a single wire leading from the roof for each string of solar panels.