Mixing solar panels – Dos and Don'ts

Author: Justin

Jul. 08, 2024

Mixing solar panels – Dos and Don'ts

The Secrets to Connecting Different Solar panels in Series or Parallel- The Definitive Guide

In this article we show you:

Click here to get more.

The best practices for mixing different solar panels
How to squeeze more solar power by using different solar panels and &#;breaking&#; the best practices at the same time

Let&#;s get straight to the point.

The basics of connecting different photovoltaic panels in series or parallel

Mixing solar panels of various voltage or wattage, or produced by different manufacturers, is a frequently asked question by most DIYers.

Though mixing different solar panels is not recommended, it&#;s not forbidden and things would be ok as long as each panel&#;s electrical parameters (voltage, wattage, amps) are carefully considered.

When you intend to wire two panels produced by different vendors, the vendors are not the problem.

The problem is in different electrical characteristics of the panels, together with different performance degradation.

We put solar panels together to increase the solar-generated power.

Connecting more than one solar panel in series, in parallel or in a mixed-mode is an effective and easy way not only to build a cost-effective solar panel system but also helps us add more solar panels in the future to meet our increasing daily needs for electricity.

How to connect your solar panels depends on:

The type of your solar panels system,
The solar power you want to generate,
The other system components, such as a charge controller, battery, and inverter.

There are two main types of connecting solar panels &#; in series or in parallel. You connect solar panels in series when you want to get a higher voltage.

If you, however, need to get higher current, you should connect your panels in parallel.

Should you need both a higher voltage and a higher current, you have to apply both connection modes, which means that a part of your solar panels should be wired in series, while the remaining ones are to be wired in parallel.

The most important to remember is that both connection modes provide you with a higher wattage.

Therefore, if the power output of a solar panel cannot alone meet your daily electricity needs, you should think of adding more such panels to it, whether in series or in parallel.

To get the maximum efficient solar panel system, however, you should keep some basic principles related to connecting solar panels.

Last but not least don&#;t forget about the overcurrent protection of the solar panels and the solar power system!

Wiring solar photovoltaic panels in series

As we said above, when connecting solar panels in series, we get an increased wattage in combination with a higher voltage.

Such &#;higher voltage&#; means that series connection is more often applied in grid-tied solar systems where:

1) the system voltage is often at least 24 volts, and

2) the solar array output voltage is fed to an inverter or charge controller of a typically higher input voltage compared to off-grid systems.

Connecting in series means joining the positive terminal of a solar panel to the negative terminal of the next solar panel until eventually you are left with one free positive and one free negative terminal of the array, which are to be connected to the input either of the inverter (in case of a grid-tied system without a battery backup) or the charge controller (in case of a grid-tied system with a battery backup or off-grid solar panel system).

When you connect solar panels in series, the total output current of the solar array is the same as the current passing through a single panel, while the total output voltage is a sum of the voltage drops on each solar panel.

The latter is only valid provided that the panels connected are of the same type and power rating.

Let&#;s consider the depicted below solar panels designated for a 12V solar panel system, operating at their Maximum Power Point, while delivering the depicted voltage and current that correspond to this power tracking point.

Scheme of solar panels connected in series

Wiring solar panels of different ratings in series

Here is a series connection of solar panels of different voltage ratings and the same current rating:

Picture of wiring solar panels of different ratings in series

You can see that if one of the solar panels has a lower voltage rating (and the same current rating) compared to the remaining panels, the output power is lower than in the previous example but the loss is not significant. Things, however, are entirely different if you connect in series panels of different current ratings.

You should, however, have in mind that the current produced from &#; solar panel depends on the ambient temperature, solar cells temperature, and solar irradiance.

If the lower wattage solar panel is from different series or a different brand, it might behave differently under the same ambient conditions.

For example, if under the same environmental conditions the solar panel of the different wattage (i.e., 136W) has a lower current (for example, 7.5A), it would drag the performance of the whole solar array down, because it would limit the solar array&#;s current to 7.5A.

The performance of the solar array is as strong as the performance of the weakest element.

In a series connection, such a weak element is the solar panel with the lowest current.

The following example reveals this in more details.

This time we have a series connection of solar panels of different voltage ratings and different current ratings:

Picture of a series connection of solar panels of different voltage ratings and different current ratings

In this picture, you can see that a total of three different types of solar panels are used.

Each panel type has its own voltage, current, and power rating.

The total current here is determined by the panel of the lowest current rating and, as a result, the total wattage is severely reduced (by 40%) compared to the previous example where the loss of output power is not so significant.

Furthermore, if you take a look in the first panel in the row, and assume that you have wired four such panels in parallel, then the total output power would be: 4 x 85W = 340W.

Just compare this to the dramatically reduced wattage of 365W, and you&#;ll find out that if you connect in series solar panels with different voltage and current ratings, the total output power is determined mostly by the solar panel of the lowest rating!

What is more, let&#;s imagine an ideal fictitious situation where the current does not influence the performance of the solar array &#; the total harvested solar power would be 515W (85W+126W+152W+152W)!

Wiring solar pv panels in parallel

The next basic type of connecting solar panels is in parallel.

Connecting solar panels in parallel is just the opposite of series connection and is used to increase the total output current of the array, and hence the total output power while keeping the same voltage.

&#;The same voltage&#; is the system voltage which for off-grid solar panels systems is usually as low as either 6V or 12V.

For this reason, parallel connection is more typical for off-grid systems.

In the parallel connection, all the positive terminals of the panels are joined together, and all the negative terminals are also joined together.

Eventually, you have one common positive and one common negative terminal of the solar array which are to be connected to input either of the inverter (in case of a grid-tied system without a battery backup) or the charge controller (in case of a grid-tied system with a battery backup or off-grid system).

When you connect solar panels in parallel, the total output voltage of the solar array is the same as the voltage of a single panel, while the total output current is a sum of the currents passing through each panel.

The latter is only valid provided that the panels connected are of the same type and power rating.

Picture of wiring similar solar panels in parallel

Wiring solar panels of different ratings in parallel

Here is a parallel connection of solar panels of different voltage ratings and the same current rating:

Picture of a parallel connection of solar panels of different voltage ratings and the same current rating

As you can see, things are getting worse, since the total voltage of the array is determined by the solar panel of the lowest voltage rating: we received 11% loss of installed solar power.

Let&#;s see what happens when we bring even more diversity and connect in parallel solar panels of different voltage and current ratings:

Picture of connected in parallel solar panels of different voltage and current ratings

Things are steadily getting worse, but it&#;s evident that what you lose here as wattage is much lower compared to connecting different solar panels in series.

Important to summarize:

Both in series and parallel connection, plugging a panel of a lower power rating to the array drags the whole output power down.

The lower the rating, the higher the loss of solar generated power.

This, however, is much more crucial for panels connected in parallel.

Therefore, if you want to get the maximum power from your solar array, you should only connect similar panels.

Mixing different panels, whether connected in series or in parallel, ALWAYS reduces the installed wattage.

Furthermore, if you don&#;t have any other option than wiring dissimilar panels, you should know that:

1) For series connection &#; the same current rating of the panels is more important.

2) For parallel connection &#; the same voltage rating of the panels is more important.

Mixed wiring of solar panels

A combination of series and parallel connection is also possible.

Picture of the combination of series and parallel connection of solar photovoltaic panels

Indeed, this depends on the maximum possible total output voltage and maximum possible total output current of the solar array, which are limited by the maximum input voltage and the maximum input current of your charge controller (for off-grid systems) or inverter (for grid-tied systems).

Calculations show you how many panels and how to wire.

What you have to remember is that the series connection increases voltage, while the parallel connection increases current.

Both series and parallel connection result in more installed wattage, which goes down should you decide to wire solar panels of different ratings.

If you decide to apply a mixed connection, it&#;s practical your solar array to comprise an even number of panels (a multiple of 2), for example, 4 panels (2 in series and 2 in parallel) or 6 panels (3 in series and 2 in parallel).

If the system sizing calculations result in an odd number of panels (for example, 3 or 5), and you are sure you are not going to add more panels in the future, it&#;s practical to use either series or parallel wiring.

If anyway you prefer wiring solar panels of different ratings rather than spending money to buy similar solar panels and end up with an installed wattage you&#;ll never need, it is a smart idea to separate the panels in two sets and wire them in parallel.

In such a case, however, you should either search for a charge controller (or inverter, for grid-tied systems) with at least two input feeds or install a second charge controller (or inverter, for grid-tied systems).

As you see, with a solar array comprising different solar panels, the only way to avoid losses of the installed wattage is separating the panels in individual circuits, for the sake, however, of possibly more complicated wiring and more expensive charge controller or inverter.

What we recommend:
1) Use panels that have the same ratings.

2) When connecting different solar panels, in order to minimize the losses:

Connect only in series panels of the different brands and of the same current.
Connect in parallel panels of different brands and of the same voltage.
Connecting different solar panels in a solar array is not recommended since either the voltage or the current might get reduced. This leads to lower output power, and hence to less solar-generated electricity. Therefore, if you are planning to use dissimilar panels, try to pick ones with similar voltage and current.
Every different panel in a solar array has a different optimal solar power tracking point at a given moment. Let&#;s suppose that you are using an MPTT charge controller. Different solar panels reduce the effectiveness of the controller to track this optimal power point. An MPPT solar charge controller is a smarter device than a PWM charge controller regarding its capability to squeeze more solar power by tracking the optimal power point of the PV panels or solar array. While searching for the optimal compromise, however, it is not smart enough to triangulate between so much different optimal power points.

How to squeeze more solar power from different solar panels by breaking the best practice rules?

You might say, I have these different panels.

I&#;ve bought them. It was a real bargain.

I don&#;t want to throw them away.

What can I do to squeeze the optimal solar power from them?

Yes, you can do that, but it requires some investment.

You should buy additional charge controller(s) and try to isolate these dissimilarities by implementing &#;Ideal Mixing.&#;

Here is an Ideal Mixing of different solar panels of the same voltage, connected in parallel, with the help of a charge controller:

Picture of ideal mixing of different solar panels of the same voltage, connected in parallel, with the help of a charge controller

Scenario 1. The solar panels and the charge controller are designated for the same system voltage.

In this case, you may use PWM controllers, if you are going for a low-cost solution.

The picture above depicts the connection of two different 12V solar panels: 100W (18Vmp x 5.5A Imp) and 50W (18Vmp x 2.77 Imp) designated for a solar power system of a 12V system voltage.

They might be, for example, one monocrystalline and one polycrystalline solar panel.

Or the pv panels from the same type(i.e. poly or mono) but produced by different manufacturers.

What is more, you may use this scheme not only to isolate dissimilarities between different types of solar panels but also to mitigate the differences, caused by the environment, between exactly the same photovoltaic panels. For example, by doing so, you will avoid the performance degradation when one of the PV panels is partially shaded during the day or pointing out to a sub-optimal direction.

Please, have in mind that this a simplified diagram. Hence, the additional equipment needed for combining these solar panels, like DC combiner boxes and fuses, are omitted.

What comes next is Ideal Mixing of different photovoltaic panels of the different voltages with the help of a charge controller:

Picture of ideal mixing of different photovoltaic panels of the different voltages with controller

Scenario 2. The solar panels are of voltage rating higher than the system voltage.

You have two different higher voltage solar panels, i.e., one 100W/24V and one 200W/24V that you want to connect to the already working 12 V solar power system comprising the two 12V 50 W solar panels connected in parallel from the previous scenario(see the picture above).

In this case, you have to use a step-down MPPT charge controller capable of stepping the 24 V solar panel voltage down to 12V.

Why MPPT charge controllers?

Why not using the low-cost PW controller you might ask?

Because the MPPT charge controllers convert the voltage difference between 24V solar panel and 12V battery bank to an increase in its output current that is twice higher compared to using a PWM charge controller.

With this twice higher current, the power provided at the output of the MPPT controller would be almost two times higher compared to the usage of a step-down PWM controller.

Please, have in mind that this a simplified diagram. Hence, the equipment needed for combining these solar panels and fuses need are omitted.

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Top 5 Solar Panels Selected Through Solar.com in

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What Is A Solar Panel Farm?

Each year, there are newer and more powerful solar technologies made available for individuals and consumers. These solar solutions are not just limited to rooftop...

SunPower Solar Panels vs. LG Solar Panels - Update

SunPower and LG are two of the top companies making solar panels. You&#;ve probably come across them in your research, and you&#;re wondering which will...

Going Solar in San Diego Gas and Electric Territory

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PG&E Home Solar and Electric Vehicle Rates Rundown

After much deliberation, California&#;s Pacific Gas & Electric has begun rolling out its updated residential and commercial rates. As there is little opposition to the...

How Blockchain And Solar Can Work Together

Many would consider to be the year of cryptocurrency. Coins like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple and dozens of others have shot up 1,000%+ and do...

The Craziest Solar Technologies Coming in

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3 Solar Panel Innovations to Look for in

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Why Your Solar Provider Needs to be NABCEP Certified

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6 of the Most Common Solar FAQs

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Top Portable Solar Panels for Under $200

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EV Charging Everywhere: An Interview with Heather Hochrein, EVmatch CEO

We sat down with Heather Hochrein, CEO and co-founder of EVmatch, to learn more about her Santa Barbara company and the opportunity of EV charging...

An Overview of Panasonic's Solar Panel Offerings

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How I Found Top Solar Providers Near Me

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Smappee vs. Sense vs. CURB Home Energy Monitor Comparison

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Mass Solar Connect: Compare Solar Companies in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has teamed up with Solar.com and local nonprofits Self Reliance and the Marion Institute to officially launch Mass Solar...

Monocrystalline Solar Panels vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels

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5 Reasons to Consider a Career in the Solar Industry

Solar energy, unfortunately, is still viewed as an alternate power source. However, in spite of this designation, it is quickly becoming the primary source of...

Installing Solar in Nepal

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How To Properly Evaluate Solar Panel Companies

There are so many details to take into account when choosing the right solar system for you. One of the most important factors is,...

4 Factors That Can Affect Solar Panel Production

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Cost of a Tesla Solar Roof vs Solar Panels

There&#;s no question that the Tesla Solar Roof is among the best looking rooftop solar systems on the market. When it was unveiled in ,...

Installing Solar On Spanish Tile Roofs

Spanish tile refers to the style of the tile, not the material. Spanish tile is usually made of either clay or concrete. Installing a solar...

Invisible Solar Cells - What Are They?

We have come a very long way from the first line of solar panels. Despite their sustainability, the first solar panels were not the most...

The 4 Roof Types Released By The Tesla Solar Program

Tesla has finally made its solar roofs open for ordering. The smooth and textured tiles are the only roof types currently available with the Tuscan...

Production vs. Performance Guarantees

Uncertainties are given when making a big ticket purchase that lasts 30 plus years. Whether that is a home, a vehicle, or financial investments. How...

Solar Panels For Boats and Yachts

The purchase of a boat or a yacht is a coveted purchase for many people. While it certainly adds a new dynamic to one&#;s life,...

Amazon Has Finally Decided To Become A Leader in Renewable Energy

Back in , Greenpeace did a sophisticated research project on the sustainability of the top tech giants in the United States. It covered many areas of sustainability,...

Here Is What Elon Musk and the Tesla Solar Program Have Been...

Every time the name Elon Musk is thrown around, most people will think of either his connection to PayPal, SpaceX, or Tesla cars. But now...

Solar Backup Power - Will My Solar Panels Work in a Grid...

Solar photovoltaic panels are created to absorb the sun&#;s energy and convert it to usable AC energy in your home. You may be wondering then,...

A Review of LG Solar Panels - When Brand Name Does Matter

LG is a brand you may already be familiar with. They are a South Korean multinational manufacturer that makes televisions, mobile devices, tablets, smartwatches and...

Will Tesla's Solar Panels Change The Industry?

On October 28, , Elon Musk unveiled Tesla&#;s solar roof product &#; a line of roof tiles and shingles with embedded photovoltaic cells. To an...

Electrical Panel Upgrades for Solar: A Technical Case Study

John Smith is a homeowner in California looking to reduce his electric bill by going solar and he decided to call an installation company that...

SunPower Solar Panels vs. LG Solar Panels

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Is SunPower Still The Best Solar Company For Solar Panels?

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Microinverter vs String Inverter: Which is Right For Your Solar System?

A common decision you&#;ll have to make when designing your custom solar system is whether to use microinverters or string inverters. The basic function of...

How Do Solar Panels Produce Electricity?

Solar panels contain cells of semiconductive material, usually, silicon usually encased in a metallic frame and tempered glass. When subject to sunlight, photovoltaic cells create...

What is a Power Optimizer?

When deciding on solar equipment it&#;s important to know what options are available. Different equipment suits different situations better. A power optimizer is ideal...

Solar.Com RFP - Conejo Valley Group Buy Program

Solar.com is launching another solar Group Buy Program in specific targeted markets in order to aggregate latent demand for residential solar power systems and provide...

Driving on Sunshine: Comparing the Economics of Gas and Electric Vehicles

Driving an electric car charged by solar panels on your roof sounds like the dream &#; you are now driving to work in a vehicle...

Tesla's Solar Roof Rivals

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What Trump's Presidency Means for the Solar Industry

The election of Donald Trump to the office of President of the United States is expected to have a profound impact on the future of...

Will Tesla Shake up Solar Roofing?

We&#;ve seen this before. Last year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his electric vehicle company would branch out and start supplying a home battery...

The Solar Win-Win: Online Marketplace Benefits Installer and Homeowner

The solar market is expanding as homeowners are installing rooftop solar panels in an attempt to reduce their electric bills and their carbon footprint. However,...

Importance of Power Tolerance in Solar Panels

This paper highlights the importance of power tolerance when choosing solar panels. Power tolerance is a measure of how much electrical power a solar panel...

Gauging the Bankability of Small to Mid-Sized Solar Installers

The entire world is going green and moving toward cleaner sources of energy. California hosts a flourishing solar industry with a burgeoning number of solar...

Ann Arbor Takes Steps to Promote Residential Solar

Home to Michigan&#;s largest solar panel array of 1.1 MW and one of the top green research universities in the country, Ann Arbor has a...

Measuring Home Energy Use

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My Installer vs. The Perfect Installer

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How to Choose A High Quality Solar Installer

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Three Things to Avoid When Installing Your Solar Panel System

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The Benefits of Floating Solar Panels

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The Top Three Solar Manufacturers

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Why "Falling Back" is Bad for Solar

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Elon Musk's Gigafactory Should Be Dictating Your Solar Equipment

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The Solar &#;Tipping Point&#; is Looming

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4 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Going Solar

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Does Solar Panel Efficiency Really Matter?

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Why Choosing the Right Solar Installer is So Important

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Solar Installation Horror Story

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Bankability: What it Means and Why it is Important for Your Solar...

Homeowners who are considering solar typically overlook the manufacturer of their solar panels, despite this being one of the most important factors for the longevity...

How &#;Big Data&#; Will Change The Solar Industry

The U.S. Department of Energy invests in new technology to revolutionize the landscape of solar data. Reliable solar grid data, the true performance of solar...

Los Angeles Solar Installation Permit Process About to Get Easier

Here at Solar.com, we want to see solar panels on every compatible rooftop in the U.S. And while our plans for expansion are ambitious,...

For more information, please visit 550W Mono Solar Panels.

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