How To Connect Solar Panel In Series And Parallel

The capacity of a solar panel to produce energy is measured in watts which is calculated by multiplying a solar panel s voltage by the amps of current it produces when a solar installer builds a solar energy system they need to find the right balance of voltage and amps to ensure that the system performs well.

How to connect solar panel in series and parallel.

Connecting your solar panel in series vs parallel affects current flow and is dictated by your installation s setup. A series parallel connection is accomplished by using both a series and a parallel connection. Should you connect a 3a solar panel to a 3 5a solar panel the all round current will probably be pulled down to 3a. The positive wires are connected to a positive connector within a combiner box and the negative wires are connected to the negative connector.

Please see diagram below. When doing a series parallel connection you are essentially paralleling 2 or more equal strings together. Typically solar panels of specific or matching current needs to be connected with each other in series. While we re not going to get too deep into the details the difference between connecting solar panels in series vs in parallel is an intermediate level solar discussion.

The series connection is done by wiring the positive terminal of each panel to the negative terminal of the next panel a connection similar to the ones of the christmas lights until the final panel is connected to the charge controller or inverter. Every time you group panels together in series whether is 2 4 10 100 etc. The connection of multiple solar panels in parallel arises from the need to reach certain current values at the output without changing the voltage. When solar panels are wired in parallel 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.

Comparing solar panels in series vs. Now connect these two sets of series connected pv panels in parallel as shown in the following fig. This kind of a lowering of current would of course cause a loss of power output and eventually loss in equipment efficiency. To do this connect the first 2 solar panels in series and do the same for the rest two solar panels.

Make two pairs of two series connected solar panels. In fact by wiring several solar panels in series we increase the voltage keeping the same current while wiring them in parallel we increase the current keeping the same voltage.