Wiring Two Different Solar Panels Together

Solar panels are usually connected in series to obtain higher output voltage.

Wiring two different solar panels together. We put solar panels together to increase the solar generated power. Wiring solar panels in parallel causes the amperage to increase but the voltage remains the same. They can be wired in parallel. Wiring solar panels in parallel implies connecting positive terminals of each panel together and wiring the negative terminals of each panel together as well.

Firstly lets take a look at connecting solar panels in series. If we have two solar panels with the same voltage but different wattage there is no problem. Connecting solar panels in parallel. Check out my website for solar system blueprints suggested components and much more.

On the other hand if our two solar panels have both different wattage and different voltage then parallel connection is not possible since the panel with the lowest voltage would behave like a load and would begin to absorb current instead of producing it with the. Does off grid solar confuse you. Both have their own purpose and applications and both have different outcomes when hooking up solar panels of different wattage together. In a solar power system the higher the voltage and the lower the energy losses along the cables to know the maximum system voltage we usually just need to turn the panel and read the label where the value is reported.

After these clarifications let s see how the series connection takes place. The white line is the negative connection all 3 panel negative wires are just simply tied together and to the wire that runs back to the negative connection on the charge controller. By connecting multiple solar panels in series we increase the system voltage. In this first image there are 3 solar panels.

Another option is to take multiple solar panels and wire them together to equal the same output as the other mismatched panel. With parallel solar panels the positive terminal from one panel is connected to the positive terminal of another panel and the negative terminals of the two panels are connected together. What we can do is wire the two 12v panels in series plus to minus and then we can wire it in parallel with the 24v panel. The problem is in different electrical characteristics of the panels together with different performance degradation.

For instance in the demo below we have a 100w 24v panel and some 50w 12v panels. Then they are connected to the charge controller or to the inverter of the solar system.