According to the Solar Energy Industries Association solar power is on the rise in America, accounting for 39% of new energy generation installations within the first six months. This is due to the huge savings homeowners can make by installing solar panels, and the ongoing environmental benefits that clean energy has.
You’re probably interested in learning more about solar panels if you are considering installing them. Continue reading to learn the differences between wiring solar panels series vs parallel.
In series wiring solar panels
The series wiring involves connecting the positive terminal on the first PV panel to its negative terminal. The negative terminal on the first panel is connected to the positive terminal on the second, and so forth. The total current is equal to the output current from a single panel. The voltage resulting is the same as all panel voltages.
This means that if you connect three 6-amp, 18-volt panels in this manner, the output voltage will be 18V x 3. = 54V. The output current remains at 6 amps.
Solar panels in series work best when they are not shaded. Every solar panel is important in series solar panel wiring. If a single solar panel is in shade it reduces the output of the whole system. An MPPT charger controller is required for series installations. This device regulates the voltage and current from the solar panels to match that of the battery bank.
This allows you to extract the most power possible from your panels.
Parallel wiring of solar panels
Parallel solar panel wiring is the process of connecting all the positive and negative terminals to one another. The result is a current equal to the sum of all panels’ amperage. The output voltage from one panel is equal to the total voltage.
This is an example of how to connect three 6-amp 18-volt panels. The output current is 6Ax3 = 18A. The voltage that results is 18V.
Parallel wiring allows PV panels to operate independently from one another. This makes parallel wiring ideal for low-light situations.
Shade covering one or more panels will not affect the power of the other panels.
This solar array is best for low-voltage systems and low-cost controllers. You can raise the output charge by adjusting the voltage to match the panel’s output voltage.
Are you still confused? You can trust the top solar companies to answer all your questions regarding the best connection for you.
For more information about the best solar panel solution for you, and the savings and incentives available, please contact these solar panel installers.
Summary: Wiring solar panels in series vs. parallel:
The benefits you’ll like from wiring solar panels in series vs parallel depend entirely on your circumstances. In mixed light situations, parallel wiring is best, while direct sunlight mechanisms suit series wiring.
For large applications, series wiring works better than parallel wiring. However, for smaller systems, parallel wiring is more affordable. To maximize your solar savings, it is always best to hire an experienced solar installer.
Keep browsing our website for more information about the questions you may have.