Connecting 3 Solar Panels In Series

When installing solar panels in series the voltage adds up but the current stays the same for all of the elements.

Connecting 3 solar panels in series.

There are 3 ways to connect solar panels. This is the first part of our video on how to connect your panels in series and parallel. 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. In a solar power system the higher the voltage and the lower the energy losses along the cables to know the maximum system voltage we usually just need to turn the panel and read the label where the value is reported.

After these clarifications let s see how the series connection takes place. Typically solar panels of specific or matching current needs to be connected with each other in series. 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. So when connecting solar panels in series always try to keep the electrical properties of the solar panels identical to get the full benefit of the solar array.

The connection of multiple solar panels in parallel arises from the need to reach certain current values at the output without changing the voltage. The first way i am going to talk about is parallel because this is probably the most common way that panels will be connected. The 140w panel actually drags the 3 other 160w panel s wattage down to 140w as well meaning we effectively have 4 x 140w solar panels. Parallel series and a combination of parallel and series.

The connecting solar panels in series is very easy just like connecting battery cell with one anther however lets get a review on. The video will go over the basic installation and can apply directl. Solar panels are wired in series when you connect the positive terminal of one panel to the negative terminal of another. For this example i am showing you connecting panels that are for a 12 volt system.

For example if you installed 5 solar panels in series with each solar panel rated at 12 volts and 5 amps you d still have 5 amps but a full 60 volts. Connecting solar panels in series. By connecting multiple solar panels in series we increase the system voltage. Should you connect a 3a solar panel to a 3 5a solar panel the all round current will probably be pulled down to 3a.

This kind of a lowering of current would of course cause a loss of power output and eventually loss in equipment efficiency.