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electrical:solar:series_vs_parallel

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electrical:solar:series_vs_parallel [2021/06/06 19:01]
frater_secessus [Series-Parallel] 		electrical:solar:series_vs_parallel [2025/04/17 14:56] (current)
frater_secessus [Series]
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 ====== Series and Parallel solar arrays ====== ====== Series and Parallel solar arrays ======
  
-Generally speaking, parallel arrays of nominal 12v [[electrical:solar:panels|panels]] are used with [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm]] [[electrical:solar:charge controller|charge controllers]] and serial arrays or higher nominal voltage panels are used with [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] controllers.  +===== TL;DR ===== 
 + 
 +  * With [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] solar charge controllers and 12v house battery bank there is often //little practical difference between parallel and series solar arrays//.   
 +  * [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM controllers]] run arrays of the same nominal voltage as their battery bank:  12v and 12v, 24v and 24v. 
 +  * //generally speaking//, parallel panels will perform better in [[electrical:solar:shading|partial shade]] than series. [but don't shade your panels in the first place -- secessus] 
 +  * as with other [[electrical:12v:parallel_serial|series/parallel arrangements]], series increases voltage and parallel increases current. 
 +  * series arrays can reduce capital costs in some circumstances 
 +  * series/parallel arrangements are described with ''xPxS'' nomenclature: 
 +    * 2 panels in parallel would be 2P1S 
 +    * 2 panels in series would be 1P2S 
 +    * 4 panels in series-parallel would be 2P2S
  
  
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     * higher PV voltage can run in relatively **thinner wires** to the charge controller     * higher PV voltage can run in relatively **thinner wires** to the charge controller
     * serial connections can provide **some charging in low light situations** where lower voltage parallel or single-panel connections might not.  Imagine two nominal 12v panels running at 11v at sunrise;   the series arrangement might yield ~22v (battery charging) instead of 11v (voltage too low to charge battery).  Note that power harvestable at those times may be quite low.      * serial connections can provide **some charging in low light situations** where lower voltage parallel or single-panel connections might not.  Imagine two nominal 12v panels running at 11v at sunrise;   the series arrangement might yield ~22v (battery charging) instead of 11v (voltage too low to charge battery).  Note that power harvestable at those times may be quite low. 
-    * higher-voltage serial configurations with MPPT controllers may provide [[electrical:solar:shading#exceptionhigh_voltage_strings_mppt|more power under partial shading]] +    * higher-voltage serial configurations with MPPT controllers may provide [[electrical:solar:shading#exceptionhigh_voltage_strings_mppt|more power than parallel under partial shading]]. This is highly controller-dependent. 
     * higher voltages **work well with MPPT controllers**     * higher voltages **work well with MPPT controllers**
     * higher voltages can **charge higher voltage battery systems** like 24v.     * higher voltages can **charge higher voltage battery systems** like 24v.
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 A fully-parallel configuration (4p1s) would require 3x 2-into-1 MC4 adapters or 1x 4-into-1 adapter.  The wiring from the array would need to carry 30A+ to the controller,  necessitating heavier wiring that would cost more and might not even fit the controller terminals.  It might be unable to charge at all under extreme low-light conditions.  A fully-parallel configuration (4p1s) would require 3x 2-into-1 MC4 adapters or 1x 4-into-1 adapter.  The wiring from the array would need to carry 30A+ to the controller,  necessitating heavier wiring that would cost more and might not even fit the controller terminals.  It might be unable to charge at all under extreme low-light conditions. 
  
-A compromise might be series-parallel array (2p2s) with 45.6Voc and ~16A.  This would require 1x 2-into-1 MC4 adapter to combine the two serial strings.   +A compromise might be series-parallel array (2p2s) with 45.6Voc and ~16A.  This would require 1x 2-into-1 MC4 adapter to combine the two serial strings.   Voltage is low enough for the controller, but high enough to allow low-light charging and the use of lighter wiring.  
 + 
 +===== further reading =====
  
 +  * [[https://www.explorist.life/solar-panels-series-vs-parallel/|Solar Panels – Series vs Parallel]] by Explorist Life
 +  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s2gsKWqyjM|How To Wire Solar Panels In Series vs Parallel -- For Beginners]]
 +  * [[https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14/shading-serial-vs-parallel-this-time-with-data-284237.html|testing series vs parallel in a marine environment]]
  
electrical/solar/series_vs_parallel.1623006072.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/06/06 19:01 by frater_secessus

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