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--- electrical:solar:series_vs_parallel [2022/03/20 16:11]
frater_secessus [Series-Parallel]
+++ electrical:solar:series_vs_parallel [2025/04/17 14:56] (current)
frater_secessus [Series]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== 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
@@ Line 11: / Line 21: @@
     * 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.
-    * 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 can **charge higher voltage battery systems** like 24v.
@@ Line 61: / Line 71: @@
   * [[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]]

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