Solar Panel Array wiring in series, parallel, or both?

[@larvae91]

JJN 100 watt Solar Panel: amzn.to/4dYeZo1 Solar Panel brackets: amzn.to/3Xkcwgx

[@jamesalles139]

well, I know not to trust Chat GPT for electronics now.

[@larvae91]

@jamesalles139 Yeah agreed it seems to be questionable some times. I will check my wattage tomorrow and then hook up in parallel and see if there is a difference.

[@jamesalles139]

@@larvae91 take that fifth one in and out of service and I doubt that it is contributing much. I'll use a round number - Open Circuit Voltage may be measurable but it is theoretical under real-life load. 20v + 20v in series = 40 volts. Then you are putting a 20volt device in parallel with that - under some conditions (called a network) that could actually bring the voltage _down_ between 20 and 40. I am not saying that is what is happening here. But best practice would indicate keeping the fifth panel out of service as a spare, or use it to keep a vehicle battery charged. Or run some gazebo lighting. the 2 in series and the two pairs in parallel is perfectly comfortable. have fun!

[@larvae91]

@@jamesalles139 Do you think it would be better if all 5 were in parallel or just 2 in series the other 2 in series and then those in parallel? Total of 4.

[@jamesalles139]

@@larvae91 If I recall, you have a small wire size, and putting them in series/parallel (40v) cuts the voltage drop down more than half. My guess is that 5 in parallel won't quite do as well at 20v. But it will take testing to be sure.

[@larvae91]

Trying the math, I'm thinking of just adding a 6th panel and running it 2s2s2s. Thinking that's 15A 60V which is in my threshold.