Series or parallel

[woodyisared]

Hi I’m just upgrading my solar system. I’ve brought 2 x 150w panels, a victron MPPT 100/30, 200ah lithium battery and a 3000w inverter and I’m not sure to have the solar panel fitted in series or parallel. Any advise would be much appreciated thanks

 

[Carpmart]

Hello I see it’s your first post, so welcome!

Series means lower amps, higher volts so you can use smaller diameter cable from your roof to the MPPT. They also produce harvestable power earlier and later in the day as the voltage to the MPPT is higher earlier. Downside is all panels can be affected by physical shading and series configuration has a bigger impact when partially shaded.

So the answer is inconclusive with pluses and minuses to both parallel and series approaches.

 

[HKF]

 

[Lenny HB]

In parallel if one panel is in shade the other panel will still give full output. With series one panel in shade you will lose all output.
The advantage of performance in shady condition with parallel outweighs the slight increase in output series gives.

 

[woodyisared]

Thanks

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[David and Sally]

 

[Cheese Monster]

woodyisared
I always connect in series for many of the reasons given by Carpmart .
Some info here https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/diode/bypass-diodes.html

 

[cyberyacht]

3 x 100 in series for me.

 

[Raul]

If you have the wiring in place, is dependable on your wiring set up. If you are doing the wiring from scratch, then wire for parallel. The panels you mentioned will not give you any meaningful advantage in series. If you had 4-6 panels then yes, series/ parallel configuration can help. Remember it’s a mobile install and prone to shading, avoid series if you can.