How to Wire Solar Panels: Parallel Strings with Branch Connectors

[@randycollins5981]

Tips from the truck, This is a great video, Thanks Johnny"

[@dapperdave2090]

I see the electrical connections have O-rings to protect from corrosion and dirt entry... but should you use just a little bit of Dielectric grease to help waterproof the connection and keep the O-ring from drying out? ... love your channel... 👍😎👍

[@GainSolarPower]

Common practice is to plug the up if they are clean and dry

[@jaybee8148]

Solar panels in sun everything else shade

[@mattk0kb921]

Killing it Johnny!

[@GainSolarPower]

Thanks man. I’ve really been trying to push out some content

[@callmebigpapa]

@1:09 Lik'd and Sub'd for this pro level content!

[@SolarDrew]

Dear John. Please provide me with a discreet "shout out" on your next video. It will assist my ego. Also, it would be nice if you could talk bout wiring troughs a bit on your next video during said shout out. Ie; do you have a common go-to trough size, etc? Give us some meat and taters on wiring trays, we the people deserve it. Over and out, solardrew.

[@jokerstyles6919]

Is the permit process difficult with the county for a diy ? You need plans?

[@jokerstyles6919]

Is it possible to buy the rack and install it and add the panels little by little a few each month? The county probably wouldn’t allow that. The total cost is so big. I wish I could do it

[@TrixterG]

@GainSolarPower So can I please confirm this: Currently I have 6 panels that are facing east to get my batteries charging asap in the mornings with 8 panels facing north for the bulk of the daytime solar. Each string is obviously wired in series currently and my inverter only has input for the two strings. Can I add another series string of 6 panels on the west side to focus on afternoon solar that is then connected in parallel to the east string? Would there be any disadvantage of doing this?

[@JohnnyValentine7]

As a rule, you should only parallel a string of panels that faces the same direction. Tilt can be different but they need to face the same direction. So the answer is no or not advised. You could try it but I don’t recommend

[@TheAdamLethbridge]

Sadly I haven't been able to find a branch Y connector that is CSA or cUL rated so we aren't allowed to use them in my jurisdiction.

[@jasminerogers9971]

Will a 4 awg wire fit on the other end of the branch connector that will run to the inverter?

[@junkerzn7312]

Ultimately though, paralleling strings (particularly with a branch connector) has numerous problems. For one thing, that means you are putting two strings into one MPPT. If one panel goes bad on one of the strings or you get asymmetric shading between the strings, the MPPT will wind up running *both* the strings inefficiently. Not just the one with problems, but the other one too. All the strings wind up at non-optimal operating points. So you wind up losing more than just the shaded or failed panel's worth of power. Also, the owner might not notice the failed panel because he has nothing to compare the output against. If each string is given its own MPPT, however, a failed or partially shaded panel only drops that one panel. Both strings are still run optimally by their respective MPPTs. In fact, with one MPPT per string the arrays will often run better than micro-inverter or optimizer arrays in normal lighting conditions. Theoretically you can parallel two strings together but... well think about voltage surges and other protections. You don't want the whole array to fry if lightning strikes nearby. So for large string arrays it is still a good idea to use a combiner box even if only paralleling two strings. The combiner box has series fuses, a breaker to protect the return wiring, and also a surge protector device. Situating the combiner box right there at the array is a good idea. But generally speaking, its an even better idea to not parallelize large strings in the first place. Bring all four wires back, plus a ground wire and give each string its own MPPT. And even in that case I would still put a fuse box at the array (with series fuses and surge protection, but no paralleling). You also get a bit more resiliency as the system ages and test points at the array for checking things without having to disconnect.

[@GainSolarPower]

Sounds like you have some field experience. The solark only has two mppt channels so you have to do some paralleling. But I agree there are some advantages to having all the strings pulled back to the inverter but that would require 8 current carrying conductors so now we are sweating wire that could already be carrying current 200-500’. We constantly juggle expense vs ROI on these projects.

[@junkerzn7312]

@@GainSolarPower Ah, I understand. It looked like two strings instead of four. Four strings would be a lot of wire to pull-back... though it would be thinner wire. That is a bit of a tough choice. I assume the series voltage would be too high for the Sol-Ark if you took it down to two. That leaves only DC optimizers (like the solar edge power optimizers) , or putting the string inverter(s) right there on the array and hauling back AC. I'm definitely in the string-inverter camp. Though my preference is to put the inverter itself inside, what is the disadvantage of putting the inverter right on the array and back-hauling AC? (that is, an outdoor-rated inverter or inverters).

[@pvbatts]

@@junkerzn7312 It's nice to take advantage of the higher voltage for the run back to the house - particularly in terrains where there are lots of trees around the houses and then open fields adjacent. And like you said, it allows for the indoor installation of equipment.

[@mattc825]

Dude, nice setup but I’m SURE you don’t get much sun in that location 😎😕

[@GainSolarPower]

Thanks for watching. Plenty of sun.

[@Hawkquill]

Can I have two separate strings of 5 solar panels one in series and one in parallel, going to different charge controllers but charging the same battery bank?

[@GainSolarPower]

Yes

[@timrector7824]

The Staubli connectors you are using have a red O ring on the male, I can't seem to find these.

[@GainSolarPower]

If they say staubli or mc4 you are good

[@johnking1243]

What racking manufacturer is that array?

[@GainSolarPower]

Sinclair Designs Skyrack 2.0. Can I send you a quote. Email me at [e-mail] I stock the rack in ga and can ship all over via hotshot. Thanks for watching

[@dangeroustoman]

Question - if I have say 4 hundred watt panels can I hook them to two different batteries. Example - panels in series coming in, then split with one going to a solar controller/battery and the other going to a bluetti 200p.

[@GainSolarPower]

Not sure about that one.

[@dangeroustoman]

@@GainSolarPower can you give it a try and let me know?

[@GainSolarPower]

@@dangeroustoman I don’t have your equipment.

[@dangeroustoman]

@@GainSolarPower I don't either. lol But I'm curious if that would work. How about two batteries in the same setup.

[@awbean5254]

JOHNNY, THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO! MY GOAL IS TO GET A SOL-ARK 15k & I WAS WONDERING WHY EACH MPPT HAS 2 CONNECTIONS. I WENT ON SOL-ARK’S WEBSITE TO CONFIGURE PANELS & IT SAID 7 PANELS WITH 2 STRINGS. CAN YOU WIRE BACK & USE BOTH MPPT1 CONNECTORS WITHOUT USING THE ‘Y’ CONNECTOR? IF SO, HOW MANY ‘IMO DISCONNECTS’ IS REQUIRED PER MPPT? ALSO, DO YOU RECOMMEND ‘RAPID SHUTDOWN MODULES’?

[@GainSolarPower]

Hey send me and email please I’ll help you [e-mail]

[@mikejf4377]

How many watts in each string?

[@tmd63]

I have a question that no-one can answer. I have 15 solar panels wired into a dual input inverter? The Panels are a total of 3.3KW. How are they wired?

[@GainSolarPower]

Good for you brother.

[@shawnr771]

Can you see the wiring?

[@AnActualCoconut]

5:23 wtf lol

[@GainSolarPower]

It happens

[@balrog006]

Yup, if it fits, someone will plug it together…

[@emailromo]

Can I connect 4 different panels in parallel or do they need to be same

[@GainSolarPower]

You could but it’s not the best

[@emailromo]

@GainSolarPower thanks bud!