Use solar panels in series or parallel

There are two ways to connect photovoltaic solar panels: in series or in parallel or both. How you connect your panel will depend on what your lenses and subsequent devices can support.

1-Series

In solar PV arrays, many people want to connect their panels in series to generate the highest voltage acceptable to a solar charge controller or inverter. It will be up to 150v, 500v or 1000v volts DC in the MPPT controller. In a photovoltaic solar installation, it is called “Series”,

2-Parallels

Some Installations prefer parallel configuration. Like parallel battery packs, all the positive poles are connected to each other and the negative poles are connected to each other. This will effectively increase the amperage and transmit more power, even if the voltage is the same.

Total solar PV energy production is not affected by weak links: since each solar PV panel has a common connection, each panel will operate at its own pace. Non-shading panels will operate at high efficiency, while shading effect panels will operate independently with reduced efficiency. However, it is still recommended to use blocking diodes to ensure that all currents in the panel are directed in one direction.

Due to excessive current, the heat loss during transmission will be greater. If you plan to run a longer cable, this also indirectly increases the initial cost, you need to increase the cable size further.

3-Series and parallel

To eliminate the advantages and disadvantages of the two configurations, it is recommended to mix the two to obtain all the advantages. You can connect multiple sets of photovoltaic solar panels in series for parallel configuration. In this case, you can get better power output, reduce wiring costs, and achieve better results when the panel is partially shaded.

4-Different power solar panels

When multiple panels need to be connected together, it is recommended to connect similar solar PV modules (same voltage and power rating) together to prevent the overall efficiency from decreasing due to weaker panel constraints.

In Series installations, low-performing panels will have a large impact on the entire series.

In a parallel configuration, different power control panels can also affect each other, because each panel in the parallel configuration will have a different resistance and potential difference. If one panel generates a much higher voltage than the other (for example, a 24 volt panel is mixed with a 12 volt panel), the lower voltage panel cannot generate a competitive potential difference to inject current smoothly. effective in the system.