How To: Wiring a Solar Panel Array!

This video contains the the principles and considerations behind wiring a solar panel array in a parallel, series, and series/parallel configuration. Throughout the video we give you explanations, pros, and cons, to the different wiring configurations and also explain the considerations for equipment selection like the solar panels themselves and also charge controller selection and wiring.
Need parts for your project? Here are some links to the equipment you may need from our partners at Inverters R Us!
Victron components:
Shunts
invertersrus.com/product/vict...
invertersrus.com/product/vict...
Converter
invertersrus.com/product/vict...
DC to DC chargers
invertersrus.com/product/orio...
invertersrus.com/product/orio...
SmartSolar charge controllers
invertersrus.com/product/vict...
Solar Panels:
invertersrus.com/spartan-powe...
invertersrus.com/spartan-powe...

[@simon359]

Two points: I would challenge that proprietary equipment being used with the solar panels, I would at least test it to see if that’s true! As I have used all kinds of different brand names on my solar panels and never had any problems.
The other point is, if you’re putting a couple of panels in parallel, the voltage would stay the same, but your amperage would double, but most charge controllers would only give the limit on amperage, even if you’re over. In other words, it shouldn’t hurt your charge controller if it’s a bit over.

[@rvsolarconcepts]

The panel's output power is not proprietary, voltage and amperage are obviously the same with any electronic device, however, the connectors on the wiring are most definitely different. As stated, the Zamp brand panels use an SAE connector which is not compatible with standard MC4 connections and Furrion brand panels use a connector that we have never encountered anywhere else and are also not compatible with MC4 connectors. I just wanted to portray that to the viewers so that if they were considering those brand panels, they need to be aware that the connections on them don't work with other standard equipment that are made to pair with MC4 connectors.
That's correct, parallel connections double the output amperage while voltage stays the same. I stated that correctly a few times and emphasized that during the testing portion with the multimeter, but I believe I did slip up once in there and said it wrong. 😮‍💨
I believe you are referring to "over paneling" the array in terms of total wattage to the controller. If you have more wattage than the controller is rated for, it will just cap the output to whatever the amperage rating of the controller is. For example, if you put 2000 watts of solar panel on a 30 amp controller, it may not cause immediate damage to the controller but it won't ever put out more than the 30 amps that it is rated for. Voltage on the other hand does not work like that. If you apply 150 volts to a controller with a 100 volt max, it will most definitely destroy that controller.

[@simon359]

@@rvsolarconcepts
To your last point yes, you stated it clearer than I did! 🖖
After hearing what you had to say about the solar panels, I would stay away from that brand! Too many of these companies try that game and it just makes everything more expensive!