How to Connect Two Solar Panels to One Battery

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In this video, I'm going to show you how to connect two solar panels to a battery. Following the great response to an article I wrote a few years ago on this topic, I've decided to create a video for a more visual and straightforward explanation.
I'll present a clear diagram to demonstrate that setting up your solar panels and battery isn't as complicated as it might seem. If you're still feeling unsure, don't worry - I'm going to break down the process into four simple steps:
1. I'll start by connecting the battery to the charge controller.
2. Then, I'll show you how to connect the two solar panels together.
3. Next, we'll wire the solar panels to the charge controller.
4. Finally, I'll demonstrate how to connect the loads.
By the end of this video, you'll have a clear understanding of each step in the process, making you more confident in setting up your solar power system.
In the first step, I'll explain why you can't directly connect solar panels to a battery and the importance of a charge controller in preventing overcharging. I'll guide you through sizing the charge controller based on the total power of your solar panels and choosing the right fuse for system safety.
Next, I'll cover the differences between wiring your solar panels in series or parallel, and how to choose the best option based on your charge controller type and shading conditions. I'll also address the common issue of voltage drop due to the distance between solar panels and the charge controller, showing you how to select the appropriate wire thickness.
In the final step, I'll show you how to connect various loads to your system, ensuring compatibility with your battery's capacity.
This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn 'how to connect a solar panel to a battery' or seeking a 'double charge controller' setup for their solar system. Whether you're building a 'DIY 12V solar system' or looking for 'off-grid solar solutions', this guide has you covered.
If you find this video helpful, please give it a like and consider subscribing for more content on solar power systems.

[@cleversolarpower]

🎁 Free diagrams: cleversolarpower.com/free-diagrams/ 📖 My best-selling book: cleversolarpower.com/off-grid-solar-power-simplified 💵Use coupon code: clever6 to get 6% discount for Litime batteries: cleversolarpower.com/litime (cheaper than amazon)

[@wencyofaga4416]

I like it so interesting

[@nimalperera5454]

As a solar enthusiast and a beginner in solar technology, this lesson of yours became so helpful to me. I watched it several times to learn your methods and your calculations. I subscribed to your channel. Thank you for teaching us a good lesson. Thank you for being so simple in your teachings. Appreciate it so much.

[@adex2000ng]

I just saw your videos 2 days ago. Your simple approach at teaching is great and I subscribed immediately. Your videos are educative and very practical. Thanks a lot

[@cleversolarpower]

Thanks! I will make more videos soon. Thanks for the sub!

[@buddcee]

Great video, easy explanations. Now I wish you did the same thing only with a solar generator too. Two 100w solars to a Bluetti ac180 and a battery. Maybe you have a video out there like that ? Thanks

[@allenmordi376]

VERY WELL EXPLAINED SIR THANKS

[@multiskilledelectrician1]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@cleversolarpower]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianOcurradhin]

This was excellent thanks

[@jasonjaffray4025]

GREAT CHANNEL 👍

[@dreddredd7137]

Thanks , i was looking for something like this . I am new to this kind of stuff and was looking for the possibilities and dangers of building a small ( test ) system . Now i have to convert it to the standards in my country and the available equipment that i can get .

[@cleversolarpower]

I'm glad you liked it. You can read my quick start guide on my website. These are the most important articles that I have written to get you started: cleversolarpower.com/diy-off-grid-solar-system-components/

[@dreddredd7137]

@@cleversolarpower Thanks for that great article 👍👍👍

[@tonylubol6643]

Very good and informative

[@paultom6774]

This is great

[@cleversolarpower]

Glad you liked it. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

[@wencyofaga4416]

I like it

[@Aic369]

Děkuji moc z 4eská republika.

[@Jrn179]

Nice vedio

[@melmeja]

Add a 25% safety margin! If a 200W solar panel has a Voc of 22V and the system voltage is 12V, the maximum charge current is 16.67A. Adding a 25% safety margin, the minimum required charge controller rating is 20.83A, so a 20A or 30A charge controller would work.

[@couerleroi1]

That's what he said

[@seriouslynow22]

You do a fantastic tutorial for solar newbies like me. Many thanks! Can you recommend a high quality 30 amp fuse? I don't want to buy something on Amazon that may be a cheap build. Thank you!

[@cleversolarpower]

Thanks! I recommend checking my video about fuse sizes. I recommend brands at the end of it.

[@armadilllo]

Cool! Maybe you can help me. I have dual batteries in my rv, I hooked up a battery monitor which required a shunt between the two. I bought a 100w panel and a renogy solar controller. Do I just hook up my controller positive to positive BEFORE the shunt and negative AFTER the shunt like my battery monitor is wired?

[@mrghostrunner1]

For someone completely new is there a good order to watch your videos in?

[@cleversolarpower]

Checkout my playlist 'solar know how'

[@haseeb5131]

asy smjana se acha kr ky dikhata sai smj ati

[@subsonicreviews1835]

Hello sir and thank you for this video but I need your help. I have on my boat two 400 watt panels with (38v VOC) and (15A ISC) each connected in series and I'm going to connect them to a victron 150/70 TR charge controller with a victron 3000 watt inverter. My batteries are two 12 volt 250Ah Lead acid in parallel. The distance from the panels to the charge controller is 15m and the distance from the charge controller to the battery is 5m . Can you please help me on which cables to use from the panels to the charge controller and the charge controller to the battery and also what fuses I will need. your help will be much appreciated. thank you

[@dibbs1503]

Hi in step 2 u use a 63 amp braker could you explain why? if in the 2 panels are are producing 16 amp? I'm new to all this but love your videos

[@cleversolarpower]

You can use whatever breaker size you want. 16A-63A, because the main reason for this breaker is to disconnect the solar panels. The wires don't need to be protected because the solar panels cannot generate more power than the wire can handle.

[@judenoukui550]

I'm just a beginner. How will I connect six solar panels of 130 Watts, 19.1Mpv, and 23.4 Voc with a 100/50A Mppt and a six lead acid batteries.Then I have a 12V/ 1500Watts inverter. Your assistance is much appreciated.

[@georgescott6967]

I would wire 3 of your panels in series, and the other 3 in series to create 2 strings of 3 panels. Then wire the 2 strings in parallel. This combination would have 70.2Voc, 57.3Vmp, 13.6Imp which should be quite comfortable for your 100V/50A MPPT charge controller.

[@moziani9093]

Again clear explanation. I'm gonna replace my 24v system 230ah lead acid with lifep04. I can choose option 1 ( 2x12 100ah) or option 2(1 x 24v 100ah) Are there pro’s and cons? There is a small price difference and option one has the benefit of risk reduction; when one battery fails you have one left. Are there more pro’s and cons?

[@cleversolarpower]

With one 24V battery you need less wires. The risk reduction doesn't help you because you will be left with a 12V battery on a 24V system. If you want risk reduction, then you can use 24V 50Ah.

[@nimalperera5454]

Pls help us understand what exactly is it shown As F1 in (2) connecting solar panels together - series and parallel is a fuse or a breaker.

[@cleversolarpower]

F1 is a breaker, to disconnect the solar panels from the input of the charge controller (required).

[@dendricknonso4327]

Can you connect your solar panel in series to an hybrid inverter of max panel voltage of 500v can the panels voc max the 500 voc

[@cleversolarpower]

A hybrid inverter has a minimum input voltage and a maximum input voltage. Check the manual of the inverter to find the range. It's individual for every model.

[@danadriscoll6437]

It sounds like you are saying that a 1000W/12V inverter draws 83A from the battery. What you mean is that the inverter can handle a max load of 83A, correct?

[@cleversolarpower]

No, the input is 83A times 1.25 safety factor. The output current will be lower because the voltage is higher.

[@ngalulaamos3517]

I have enjoyed a lot over your explanation sorry, can I have your contact brother so as I can got more advice from you about off-grid electric

[@cleversolarpower]

Send me an email through my website

[@charlesjohnson-bg2vr]

Could a person wire the battery to the inverter with 3 AWG then wire inverter to charge controller with 10AWG?

[@cleversolarpower]

It depends on what inverter you have and how many solar panels you have.

[@dougiee6589]

There is a way to calculate the wire gauge I seen video of it

[@cleversolarpower]

Checkout my video about calculating wire sizes.

[@claudianaimas9353]

Can I connect two batteries of 12v on a 41ow solar panel, and how?

[@cleversolarpower]

The voltage of the panels need to be 5V higher than the battery

[@larrysonnenreich3682]

Will I be ok with two 400 watt panels into a 60 amp charge controller?

[@cleversolarpower]

It depends on the battery voltage. For 12V divide by 14.4V, for 24V battery, divide by 28.8V, ... And so on.

[@chukwuemekaejekwu6870]

I'm a new beginner, please I have 24 volt battery four and 5 kVA 24 volts inverter and 16 solar panel 35watts please how can I connect it

[@cleversolarpower]

Checkout my other video about what size charge controller.

[@victorjoseph8948]

why 2 solar panels? can i noty use just 1 195 watt panel with my lopo4 12v 50AH or 12 v 100AH battery?

[@cleversolarpower]

Of course, this is a video for people looking to connect two solar panels.

[@carlierjacques8849]

2x 12v panels in series = 24v on a 12v battery??????

[@cleversolarpower]

If you have an mppt you don't need to size solar panel voltage to battery. If you have a pwm, you should. Check my video about charge controllers.

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

Again you keep using series wiring. People on boats and RV have shade issue and dont use series. so your example dont do them any good.

[@cleversolarpower]

Checkout my video about wiring solar panels in series or parallel.