With the rising popularity of solar systems in India, there has been a surge in the supply of solar panels in the market. It is not an uncommon scenario if a consumer will have panels of different brands, voltages, or ratings. In such a scenario, he will be most confused if he can use all of them together. In this article, we would like to highlight such a situation of the consumer.
When two or more solar panels are paired together, a user intends to increase the power output. However, he must be well versed in the pros and cons of doing so. Connecting together panels is an easy way to expand the whole solar system.
Lasted Updated: July, 2021
How to Wire Mismatched Solar Panels in Series and Parallel?
In the above diagram, it shows connecting different ratings of solar panels. Here are two numbers of solar panels of 180W and one number of shark solar panel of 440W. When we connect mixed solar panels, we are always aware about output voltage of solar panels. Here, the voc of 180W is 23.6V & the voc of 440W is 50V. The connection method of different ratings of solar panels is Series & Parallel connection both. An overall connection is working successfully. To become more confident, watch this video below:
Types of Solar Connection:
- Series Connection: Always increase the voltage
- Parallel Connection: Always increase the current (ampere)
- Mixed Connection: When required maximum voltage & ampere
Different Types of Situations
Situation 1: When we connect two solar panels in series:
For example, the left side solar panel is of 180W – 12V & right side solar panel is 375W – 24V. We should also know how to read the technical sticker of each solar panel, where we can get information such as:
180 Watt Solar Panels:
Voltage: 23.26V
Current: 9.03A
375 Watt Solar Panels:
Voltage: 44.5V
Current: 9.62A
After Series Connection:
Total Voltage = 23.26V + 44.5V = 67.76V
Total Current = 9A
Total Power = 67.76V * 9A = 609W
In a series connection, the positive terminal of a solar panel to the negative terminal of the next solar panel. This needs to be continued until you have one last free positive and negative terminal which is to be connected with the inverter or charge controller of the solar system.
Also, in series, the total output current of the solar array is the same as the current passing through a single panel, but the total output voltage is the sum of the voltage on each of the solar panels. These panels should preferably be of the same type and power rating. Also, be careful of using panels with the same current rating. Connecting solar panels in series is generally used in grid-tied solar systems.
Situation 2: When we connect two solar panels in Parallel connection
180 Watt Solar Panels:
Voltage: 23.26V
Current: 9.03A
375Watt Solar Panels:
Voltage: 44.5V
Current: 9.62A
After Parallel Connection:
Total Voltage = 23.26V
Total Current = 9.03A + 9.62A =18.65A
Total Power = 18.65A * 23.26 = 433W
In parallel connection, the positive terminals of all panels are joined together, and negative terminals of all panels are connected together. In the end, you will be left with one positive and negative terminal each which will be connected to the inverter or charge controller of the solar system.
In this connection, the output voltage of the solar system will be the same as the voltage of a single panel. The total output current is, however, the sum of the currents passing through each panel. Be careful of using panels with similar ratings because the lower the rating, the higher will be the loss of power. Also, be mindful of using panels with the same voltage rating. A parallel connection is applicable for off-grid systems.
Practically Tested
I, myself have installed mismatched panels at my home and nothing is wrong with them. I, earlier was using 5 panels of 12 volt 170 watt (around 8 amps) each in parallel configuration because I then had a 12 volt inverter. Now I've switched to a 3.2kW grid tied hybrid inverter that requires minimum 150 volts DC to start conversion. So then I added 4 more panels of 280 watt, 24 volt each (8.3 amps). All these 9 panels are installed and connected in series configuration. I receive around 250 solar voltage at inverter. Solar panels produce more voltage than their rated voltage, they're usually 150%. In series connection, they are added up and amperes remain at everage. In my case there was no big difference between amperes of both panels. Everything working fine, never faced any problem regarding mismatched panels.
Before installing these panels I was worried a little as many people tried to frighten me about adverse effects but before installing I carried out a little experiment with 2 small mismatched dry batteries. After this experiment I came to the conclusion that installing panels having 2 different voltages are possible and there would be no fuss around.
Source: Quora
Conclusion
Mixing different solar panels is not recommended, but in some situation as like Mr. Naeem Fraz's situation, you can do. Wiring together panels of different brands is not much of an issue as pairing together panels of different electrical readings. If doing so a user must be well aware of the panels’ electrical parameters like voltage, wattage, etc. and the repercussions of doing so. Other factors such as temperature, solar cells’ temperature, and solar irradiance also play a huge role in determining the total power output.
26 comments
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Vilas d raut
Sir, I already have 4 loom solar panels of 375 watts with me, I using off grid system with off grid hybrid inverter,but I want to increase or upgrade the system upto 3kva on grid system, but there is problem with me about space,so I want to add/installed 3 bi- facial panels with my old 375 Watts panel’s that’s of 1500 Watts,so it is possible 375×4=1500watts + 440×3=1320 Watt,so it is possible or not,so please reply me
Hariharan R
I need help i use 375 watt solar panel 2 =750 watt increase panel 545 watt connection
Hariharan R
I need help i use 375 watt solar panel 2 =750 watt increase panel 545 watt connection
Alhidayah
100amhs battery
2 nos of 180watt
30 amhs charger controller
1.5kva inverter
Pls can all this power printing machine ?
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Hassan Haszzy
I have connected nine 190 watts panels and connected 2 series and 7 parallels which gives me 121 votl, with 80 amps charge controller with rated current 100 max pv line. I have a 3000 watts inverter 24 volt and 4 12volt 200 Amps batteries which I connected with 24 volt wiring but the problem now is my batteries are not charging.
Hassan Haszzy
I have connected nine 190 watts panels and connected 2 series and 7 parallels which gives me 121 votl, with 80 amps charge controller with rated current 100 max pv line. I have a 3000 watts inverter 24 volt and 4 12volt 200 Amps batteries which I connected with 24 volt wiring but the problem now is my batteries are not charging.
hariharan R
I use 375 watt two panel add 530 watt mismatched connection daigram
Suleiman Hady
Lovely post but I want to know is it voltage that matters most in charging the batteries or amperes. Because I want to know which is (higher voltage or higher current) responsible for charging batteries faster.
Houssam Pharaon
Hi, i have a BLUE CARBON. Model Number. BCT-3KWH i should install 2 panels 24v/320w but i can’t find them in my country, the seller gave me 3 panels 25v/170w each and asked me to install 2 in series and 1 in parallel, is this correct ?
Pure tech
Is it good to connect 4 panel 100watt in series and 6 panels 100watt and then connect the two in parallel. What will be the case to connection and can it reduce the speed of a D c motor
Pure tech
Is it good to connect 4 panel 100watt in series and 6 panels 100watt and then connect the two in parallel. What will be the case to connection and can it reduce the speed of a D c motor
Joe
Correction to previous post- Sorry.
I have a car battery solar trickle charger rated at 5 watts at 12 vdc. I measured the output voltage at 16.3 vdc.
At 12 vdc that’s would be ~0.42 amps (Not ~0.24 amps) and at 16.3 vdc that’s ~0.31 amps. It’s actually producing less amps with more voltage?
Or in theory would the rated wattage of the solar charger be higher at 16.3 vdc?
Joe
I have a car battery solar trickle charger rated at 5 watts at 12 vdc. I measured the output voltage at 16.3 vdc.
At 12 vdc that’s would be ~0.24 amps and at 16.3 vdc that’s ~0.31 amps. It’s actually producing less amps with more voltage?
Or in theory would the rated wattage of the solar charger be higher at 16.3 vdc?
Chetan Singh
I have 3 panal 100 watt 2.23 amp 44 voc and 2 panal 100 watt 5 amp 22 voc, and 3 panal 165 watt 8.50 amp 22.50 voc how to connect 12 volt utl gama +mppt enverter battery 200 ah system
Madhukar jadhav
What’s the total cost of solerset. And most important I would like to know me is which set which will fulfill my needs &earn more
Kindly may I any guidance.
Budget about 75thousands, & subsidy.
Zziwa Brian
Useful information here thanks
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Nino r
Hello.
I have different situation, i need to connect 2pannels on north and 2 panels south. Can be a problem when one side won’t have sun? Parallel connection.
Greetings Nino
Kenneth S. Hicks
I have 180 W 12 V solar panel and I have 100 watt 12 V solar panel wired in series my 100 watt solar panel does not show amp draw
Bill W
very useful information here. thank you