One thing you did not mention is the amperage of the mismatched panels in series will be limited to that of the lower amperage panel. For example, if you had a panel that puts out 8A by itself and another panel that puts out 4A by itself, putting those in series will limit the current to about 4A, so you would then lose about half of the power from the normally 8A panel. When putting "mismatched" panels in series, it is usually best to at least get panels that have similar amperage ratings (Impp ratings). Such as 5A and 4A would be acceptable. Ideally, if you are using a 24V and a 12V panel in series, they should be the same amperage rating (such as 8A), so the power of them will be pretty much additive (200W + 100W = 300W for example), assuming your MPPT solar charge controller can handle the higher series voltage properly.
Brilliant ... first clip i begin to understand. I have just bought a solar system for my camper van. 1x 20amp MPPT solar charge controller 1x 150v VOC 22.5v , VPM 18v, ISC 9.00A , Imp 8.33A 1X100v VOC 21.30v, VPM 17.8, ISC 6.07A, Imp 5.62A 2x 110ah V12 Batteries SO i am wondering because the solar are different voltages etc what is the best configuration ??? Many thanks and great work on your channel . DJ
I'm using 5 panels of 150 watts with 18.5 volts, 8.33 Amps and 4 panels of 250 watts with 36 volts, 7.33 amps and are using them in series. All these make 1750 watts together and at my inverter with builtin MPPT controller I receive upto 250 volts DC and 1255 watts AC. It's 72% output.
I have 4 panels of 250 (28.4V & 8.14a) and 3 Panels of 340W (38V and 8.72a). I didn't try them yet but what do you think about how much % or Watts I will lose?
I have 6 x 600 watt panels rated at 32v 18amps, I want to add but old panels not available only 600watt rated at 42v 14.5amps can these be run in series and what effect would happen. Thanks
Thank you for the demonstration, very interesting, would have been more useful to know the details on your 200w panel. However, doing the maths on the panels - you have 1 x 200w panel series with a 100w panel = 300watt, yet your measurements with the panels in series only seems to show an increase of about 10w from what should be 300w, I’m not sure if this could be considered an efficient way to use them. Many thanks for showing your video.
The Series is fantastic, question Can I connect 4s to 3s 2parallel solar panels, to ending in one string of 7 in series, for a total of 10 panels, I'm trying to find out which is a better parallel string of 5 which yield 263.0 volts with 4400 watts or 8 in series will yield 420.8 volts with 3520 watts and the 4s combine to 3s2p, is all relate to the limit 450 volts for the inverter and 4500 watts also a limit of the inverter, panels have 440 watts, 52.6 Voc, and 10.2 amp of Ioc, imp 9.8 amp
I have connected 2 solar panels in series 340+380 to epever 12v battery. My mppt get power from one panel everyday I have to disconnect and reconnect mc4 connectors than it’s a show power of both panels. Why this happening in series connection?
i have the same type of panels, this cant work unless you add anouther 100 watt panel, because the lowest common domanator is the 4.3 amps from the 100 watt panel, that will limit the current of the 200 watt panels, even though you get double the voltage. when in series the amps have to be the same. when in parrelell the volts have to be the same
I'm too late to respond to your intelligent enquiry, one year to be exact ! it will also exhibit the similar result. The volt meter does not know the PV cell compositions, right? It will, definitely work.
Hello please what battery will I need to run this inverter Growatt 48V 5000 Watt Inverter 220V Inverter Charger Max PV Input Voltage 450V MPPT 100A Hybrid Solar Inverter SPF 5000TL HVM-WPV-P
The output will be limited to the panel with the lowest amperage. Based on the watts and voltage, the panels is not that much mismatched if they are set up in one string.
I tried a 12v 475watt and a 12v 100watt to make 24 and I was just getting overcharge warning because the smaller one was rated at 6amps but more like 5. so that means they were pumping out around 115. So I just decided to install a switch between the 12 v batteries and while charging have them separate and use 2 charge controllers. Anf when I'm stopped switch and make them 24v because I have a great 4000 watt pure sine inverter.
Yes you can connect different panels in series but the reality of this is that the maximum current will be limited to the maximum current of the smaller panel.
Thanks for you great video. I have a 120 and a 130 watts panel. 19,20 with 6,25 a and 20,30 with 6,9 a. Would you wire them in series or parallel. and What can I get out of them? Thanks Kirsten
I have 4 panels of 250W (28.4V & 8.14a) and 3 Panels of 340W (38V and 8.72a). I didn't try them yet in series, but what do you think about how much % or Watts I will lose? MY inverter can support upto 4000 watts, I just cannot find the 250W in market as of now. all are 300W++.
You can to a certain extent. Once you get over 500wqtta you're dealing with over 100v and need a charge controller that can bring that back down. My renogy can't. I should try my make sky blue charge controller and see if that one cam handle 115v
More preferably Victron CC. But why the overkill? I can understand if yours is an experiment. But practically a 200W PV cell output would be quite sufficient. (depending on Geographical location) in any case a CC is a must in any PV Cell System, preferably with BT and other paraphernalia like Circuit breakers, battery monitor, etc etc.
i hv 4 nos 125 watt mono panel 12 volt each. i hv connected 2 panel in series and other 2 in series. and lastly connected both series pannels in parallel. i want to connect a 24 volt 250 watt poly panel in parallel. is it possible ? i hv mppt charge controller.
Hi, Can we add String 1: 330w+330w+300w+435w+435w String 2:330w+330w+300w and both are parallel strings in MPPT invertor .(Panel voltages are 48v for all panels)
Anees Ali Saheb, Salam. Of course you may combine different wattage PV cells for charging your batteries. The thing is you need to combine similar PV Cells together and have them in Parallel configuration before entering into GOOD Charge Controller. Remember connect all your similar PV cells in any series parallel combination and if the power is more than the Charge controller, use 2 Charge controllers and parallel the output (12VDC or 24VDC or even 48VDC) The subject is very large to explain due to time and space constraints. Cheers. Khuda hafiz.
You have two things to consider: panels and controllers. What the the panels put out, and what the controller can take in. I don't know about different watts though, I'm new too, ( some answer, huh?) Panels: you add up the open circuit voltage of each of the 12v panels, say 4 x 12v panels is 84v (21voc each) Controller: might say it can handle 10-22v, 10-90v or 18-60, 29-150.(picking numbers at random here) ) the first two are for 12v panels, and the second two are for 24v panels. The numbers can be wildly different between each controller. So people plan their systems. i.e.: Series higher voltages can handle a smaller wire and the length is cheaper and can go farther. And you shouldn't get to close to the upper conroller volt number, and amps is just as important. MPPT is in this video, I don't know how this applies to PWM. The rule of thimb is you get what you pay for in solar. Quality costs, and forgives tolerances. The controller with the lower first number(10v) is for 12v panel, for clouds etc. The lower first number 18v controller will not produce electricity when the panel dips below 18v, so a lot of volts from the 12v panel are wasted. So use that controller for 24v panels instead.
I have 2 solar panels approx same size. One is 215 watts running 29 volts The other is 275 watts running at 39 volts. I have them paralleled wired into a pwm controller and get about 10 amps at 12v which is rubbish. I have ordered a mppt controller.. Why is parrallel bad for mismatched panels. Thet both run at about at 8 amps at their respective voltages. Would i benefit from running them in series? Bearing in mind thats approx. 70 volts and at i guess 8 amps
Also parallel is like 2 separate pannels so whatever pannel is weaker its going to drop the other to its level just like 2 batteries.the stronger will only charge to the voltage of the lesser battery. Series you are basically turning the two panels from 2 individual in a string into one giant pannel. That being said if one gets shaded they both suffer
@@sykotic1976 i have had my mppt controller working now for nearly a month. i wired the panels in series but never get more than about 250 watts on a sunny day and about 4 amps.... Ive noticed that when in parallel, the panels arent so sensitive in low light levels so this is why i wired them in series. I think i need to rewire them back to parallel and see if that gets better results during the day.
Ray, did you mean either Parallel or Series or Series parallel combination? You may wire the PV panel which ever way you prefer. but remember to incorporate Circuit breakers in your system. Remember if you series the 25W (12VDC)=48V@25W if you Parallel = 12VDC@100W. In this instance you may parallel both=12VDC@200W. It's quite complicated and as such there are several other physics involved. time and space restrict me to elaborate. Try, test. you'll learn this way. Stay safe.
Can be combined. But , the question is why, when you can buy both PV panels of the same type? There are contravercial comments on Poly-crystalline PV cells, being inferior to Mono-Crystalline cells. Mono_crystalline PV cells are preferred along with a good Charge controller and LiFePo4 batteries. Flooded batteries and even AGMs are, these days, considered inferior due to excessive maintenance and weight, besides shorter life span. At the advent of better chemistry Lithium Ferric Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries are preferred , though expensive, their life expectancy is about 10 years as opposed to Flooded batteries being 3~4 years. Cheers.
individually you were getting 232watts for both panels. but in series you are getting 209watts. LOSSES TO STEP DOWN HIGH VOLTAGE TO LOW VOLTAGE................... well why you didn't check them parallel too?
The two panels he demonstrates are a nominal 200 & 100 watt. Charging a battery through separate, 12V charge controllers, would they not have a 300 watt potential?
3:05 and you did not optimally aligned the panel for the day and area (I use a app with my phone sensors for this) for max solar output. New to solar myself but thinking my do better if you added a bypass diode across the panels to better match them maybe? Kind of like this www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/images/stories/solar/alt135.gif
The built in Diodes are not bypass diodes. It's called Blocking Schottky Diodes and that is to prevent battery drain when PV ceases to generate power to battery. The other diode,( Brian's image), will do nothing to enhance absorption process. That circuit is used in Voltage regulators. A 30~40 Degree angle PV facing North/(South) depending on geographical location is considered good position.Cheers
First hire a cameraman .... second wont the mis matching of panels a. limit the amps to the lowest capacity, and b potentially damage the smallest panel with prolonged use.
I have connected 2 solar panels in series 340+380 to epever 12v battery. My mppt get power from one panel everyday I have to disconnect and reconnect mc4 connectors than it’s a show power of both panels. Why this happening in series connection?
One thing you did not mention is the amperage of the mismatched panels in series will be limited to that of the lower amperage panel. For example, if you had a panel that puts out 8A by itself and another panel that puts out 4A by itself, putting those in series will limit the current to about 4A, so you would then lose about half of the power from the normally 8A panel. When putting "mismatched" panels in series, it is usually best to at least get panels that have similar amperage ratings (Impp ratings). Such as 5A and 4A would be acceptable. Ideally, if you are using a 24V and a 12V panel in series, they should be the same amperage rating (such as 8A), so the power of them will be pretty much additive (200W + 100W = 300W for example), assuming your MPPT solar charge controller can handle the higher series voltage properly.
TRUTH
Basic point to ponder in mismatch panels.
Which ever way you connect, the end result is the watts. Watts will be same.
Love the way you have the board set up, with battery state of charge chart, etc all in one. Mark Australia
Good info. I got an AC200P Bluetti with a 200w + 350W bluetti panels I am going to hook up in series.
Brilliant ... first clip i begin to understand.
I have just bought a solar system for my camper van.
1x 20amp MPPT solar charge controller
1x 150v VOC 22.5v , VPM 18v, ISC 9.00A , Imp 8.33A
1X100v VOC 21.30v, VPM 17.8, ISC 6.07A, Imp 5.62A
2x 110ah V12 Batteries
SO i am wondering because the solar are different voltages etc what is the best configuration ???
Many thanks and great work on your channel . DJ
I'm using 5 panels of 150 watts with 18.5 volts, 8.33 Amps and 4 panels of 250 watts with 36 volts, 7.33 amps and are using them in series. All these make 1750 watts together and at my inverter with builtin MPPT controller I receive upto 250 volts DC and 1255 watts AC. It's 72% output.
I have 4 panels of 250 (28.4V & 8.14a) and 3 Panels of 340W (38V and 8.72a).
I didn't try them yet but what do you think about how much % or Watts I will lose?
Subscribed as soon as I heard you mention shit hole ass Delaware... gotta show love for the DE UA-cam community
Lol it's still a step up from living in New Jersey.
I have 6 x 600 watt panels rated at 32v 18amps, I want to add but old panels not available only 600watt rated at 42v 14.5amps can these be run in series and what effect would happen. Thanks
Thank you for the demonstration, very interesting, would have been more useful to know the details on your 200w panel.
However, doing the maths on the panels - you have 1 x 200w panel series with a 100w panel = 300watt, yet your measurements with the panels in series only seems to show an increase of about 10w from what should be 300w, I’m not sure if this could be considered an efficient way to use them.
Many thanks for showing your video.
So good a demonstration, hats off!
The Series is fantastic, question Can I connect 4s to 3s 2parallel solar panels, to ending in one string of 7 in series, for a total of 10 panels, I'm trying to find out which is a better parallel string of 5 which yield 263.0 volts with 4400 watts or 8 in series will yield 420.8 volts with 3520 watts and the 4s combine to 3s2p, is all relate to the limit 450 volts for the inverter and 4500 watts also a limit of the inverter, panels have 440 watts, 52.6 Voc, and 10.2 amp of Ioc, imp 9.8 amp
I have connected 2 solar panels in series 340+380 to epever 12v battery. My mppt get power from one panel everyday I have to disconnect and reconnect mc4 connectors than it’s a show power of both panels. Why this happening in series connection?
i have the same type of panels, this cant work unless you add anouther 100 watt panel, because the lowest common domanator is the 4.3 amps from the 100 watt panel, that will limit the current of the 200 watt panels, even though you get double the voltage. when in series the amps have to be the same. when in parrelell the volts have to be the same
Are U pumping that into an AGM battery ? I'm going to do that too.
What about mismatched cells, I mean one poly and other mono type?
I'm too late to respond to your intelligent enquiry, one year to be exact ! it will also exhibit the similar result. The volt meter does not know the PV cell compositions, right? It will, definitely work.
We're the panel amperes the same? You didn't measure the larger panel with the meter
Do you hv a review on parallel connection?
Hello please what battery will I need to run this inverter Growatt 48V 5000 Watt Inverter 220V Inverter Charger Max PV Input Voltage 450V MPPT 100A Hybrid Solar Inverter SPF 5000TL HVM-WPV-P
Thank you for good explanation . I have just acquired 4 panels 200watts 18v and 3 panels 395watts 41.4 v I can Mismatch the panels?
Im trying fimd out the same mabey this only works for 2 pannels, 3 pannels he probably get loss
The output will be limited to the panel with the lowest amperage.
Based on the watts and voltage, the panels is not that much mismatched if they are set up in one string.
Do you mean series?
I tried a 12v 475watt and a 12v 100watt to make 24 and I was just getting overcharge warning because the smaller one was rated at 6amps but more like 5. so that means they were pumping out around 115. So I just decided to install a switch between the 12 v batteries and while charging have them separate and use 2 charge controllers. Anf when I'm stopped switch and make them 24v because I have a great 4000 watt pure sine inverter.
What charge controller was that? Looks very nice also very informative video.
epever tracer 2215bn
Yes you can connect different panels in series but the reality of this is that the maximum current will be limited to the maximum current of the smaller panel.
Hi, I have 15 solar panels. 13 are 24 volt 200 watt and 2 are 24 volt 170 watt. What is the best way to connect or wire them to a 48 volt system?
Thanks for you great video. I have a 120 and a 130 watts panel. 19,20 with 6,25 a and 20,30 with 6,9 a. Would you wire them in series or parallel. and What can I get out of them? Thanks Kirsten
I have 4 batteries of 200AH @ 12V each. I have 5 different panels to power the batteries. What connection will work better to power my home?
I have 4 panels of 250W (28.4V & 8.14a) and 3 Panels of 340W (38V and 8.72a).
I didn't try them yet in series, but what do you think about how much % or Watts I will lose? MY inverter can support upto 4000 watts,
I just cannot find the 250W in market as of now. all are 300W++.
You can to a certain extent. Once you get over 500wqtta you're dealing with over 100v and need a charge controller that can bring that back down. My renogy can't. I should try my make sky blue charge controller and see if that one cam handle 115v
From seeing this amazing video I want to ask if you can use a 36volt/(300watt to 480watt) or more solar panel system to charge a 24volt battery bank?
With a charge controller, yes.
More preferably Victron CC. But why the overkill? I can understand if yours is an experiment. But practically a 200W PV cell output would be quite sufficient. (depending on Geographical location)
in any case a CC is a must in any PV Cell System, preferably with BT and other paraphernalia like Circuit breakers, battery monitor, etc etc.
Can I connect a 100 watt, 12 volt panel in parallel to a 50 watt, 12 volt panel?
Then what about joining a flex 100w and harbor freight 100 w in series ?
i hv 4 nos 125 watt mono panel 12 volt each. i hv connected 2 panel in series and other 2 in series. and lastly connected both series pannels in parallel. i want to connect a 24 volt 250 watt poly panel in parallel. is it possible ? i hv mppt charge controller.
Hi,
Can we add
String 1: 330w+330w+300w+435w+435w
String 2:330w+330w+300w
and both are parallel strings in MPPT invertor .(Panel voltages are 48v for all panels)
i think it needs to check the string1 and string2 open circuit voltage . different voltage cannot be parallel.
Anees Ali Saheb, Salam. Of course you may combine different wattage PV cells for charging your batteries. The thing is you need to combine similar PV Cells together and have them in Parallel configuration before entering into GOOD Charge Controller. Remember connect all your similar PV cells in any series parallel combination and if the power is more than the Charge controller, use 2 Charge controllers and parallel the output (12VDC or 24VDC or even 48VDC) The subject is very large to explain due to time and space constraints. Cheers. Khuda hafiz.
You have two things to consider: panels and controllers. What the the panels put out, and what the controller can take in. I don't know about different watts though, I'm new too, ( some answer, huh?)
Panels: you add up the open circuit voltage of each of the 12v panels, say 4 x 12v panels is 84v (21voc each)
Controller: might say it can handle 10-22v, 10-90v or 18-60, 29-150.(picking numbers at random here) ) the first two are for 12v panels, and the second two are for 24v panels. The numbers can be wildly different between each controller. So people plan their systems. i.e.: Series higher voltages can handle a smaller wire and the length is cheaper and can go farther. And you shouldn't get to close to the upper conroller volt number, and amps is just as important. MPPT is in this video, I don't know how this applies to PWM. The rule of thimb is you get what you pay for in solar. Quality costs, and forgives tolerances.
The controller with the lower first number(10v) is for 12v panel, for clouds etc. The lower first number 18v controller will not produce electricity when the panel dips below 18v, so a lot of volts from the 12v panel are wasted. So use that controller for 24v panels instead.
You can put them in series if they run similar current at optimal.
Can you connect 2:12v 270watts añd 1: 24v 270watt into 48v
If you were actually going to use both in an installation, get a cheap controller for the smallest. More power for a small price.
I have 2 solar panels approx same size.
One is 215 watts running 29 volts
The other is 275 watts running at 39 volts.
I have them paralleled wired into a pwm controller and get about 10 amps at 12v which is rubbish.
I have ordered a mppt controller..
Why is parrallel bad for mismatched panels.
Thet both run at about at 8 amps at their respective voltages.
Would i benefit from running them in series? Bearing in mind thats approx. 70 volts and at i guess 8 amps
Most likely because pwm is only a 12v charger. You need a mppt to handle the difference.
Also parallel is like 2 separate pannels so whatever pannel is weaker its going to drop the other to its level just like 2 batteries.the stronger will only charge to the voltage of the lesser battery. Series you are basically turning the two panels from 2 individual in a string into one giant pannel. That being said if one gets shaded they both suffer
@@sykotic1976 i have had my mppt controller working now for nearly a month.
i wired the panels in series but never get more than about 250 watts on a sunny day and about 4 amps....
Ive noticed that when in parallel, the panels arent so sensitive in low light levels so this is why i wired them in series.
I think i need to rewire them back to parallel and see if that gets better results during the day.
I have four Harbor freight 25 W panels I also have for 100 W hou panels how do I pair them together
Ray, did you mean either Parallel or Series or Series parallel combination? You may wire the PV panel which ever way you prefer. but remember to incorporate Circuit breakers in your system.
Remember if you series the 25W (12VDC)=48V@25W if you Parallel = 12VDC@100W. In this instance you may parallel both=12VDC@200W. It's quite complicated and as such there are several other physics involved. time and space restrict me to elaborate. Try, test. you'll learn this way. Stay safe.
Explorist life covers this topic well. ua-cam.com/video/jejro4zkl8I/v-deo.html
Mate trust me, the large panel is Polly Cristal the right I mono......
Useful video
How about both 12v panel mono and poly panel
Can be combined. But , the question is why, when you can buy both PV panels of the same type? There are contravercial comments on Poly-crystalline PV cells, being inferior to Mono-Crystalline cells. Mono_crystalline PV cells are preferred along with a good Charge controller and LiFePo4 batteries. Flooded batteries and even AGMs are, these days, considered inferior due to excessive maintenance and weight, besides shorter life span. At the advent of better chemistry Lithium Ferric Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries are preferred , though expensive, their life expectancy is about 10 years as opposed to Flooded batteries being 3~4 years. Cheers.
@@sreekumarUSA ok thanks.
To answer your question why... because i hv already mono and poly pv here
individually you were getting 232watts for both panels. but in series you are getting 209watts. LOSSES TO STEP DOWN HIGH VOLTAGE TO LOW VOLTAGE................... well why you didn't check them parallel too?
The two panels he demonstrates are a nominal 200 & 100 watt. Charging a battery through separate, 12V charge controllers, would they not have a 300 watt potential?
@@kelhawk1 you need another controller just, it will be more productive
Nice video
cool
3:05 and you did not optimally aligned the panel for the day and area (I use a app with my phone sensors for this) for max solar output. New to solar myself but thinking my do better if you added a bypass diode across the panels to better match them maybe? Kind of like this www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/images/stories/solar/alt135.gif
Those bypass diodes are normally built into the back of the panel access cover.
The built in Diodes are not bypass diodes. It's called Blocking Schottky Diodes and that is to prevent battery drain when PV ceases to generate power to battery. The other diode,( Brian's image), will do nothing to enhance absorption process. That circuit is used in Voltage regulators. A 30~40 Degree angle PV facing North/(South) depending on geographical location is considered good position.Cheers
First hire a cameraman .... second wont the mis matching of panels a. limit the amps to the lowest capacity, and b potentially damage the smallest panel with prolonged use.
Sorry you live where Joe Biden’s from.
I have connected 2 solar panels in series 340+380 to epever 12v battery. My mppt get power from one panel everyday I have to disconnect and reconnect mc4 connectors than it’s a show power of both panels. Why this happening in series connection?