Solar panels are usually connected in series to obtain higher output voltage.
Wiring multiple solar panels together.
There are two ways to wire up solar panels.
By connecting multiple solar panels in series we increase the system voltage.
In the solar industry.
With parallel solar panels the positive terminal from one panel is connected to the positive terminal of another panel and the negative terminals of the two panels are connected together.
In a solar power system the higher the voltage and the lower the energy losses along the cables.
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.
Both have their own purpose and applications and both have different outcomes when hooking up solar panels of different wattage together.
Wiring your solar panels in parallel results in more wires running from your solar panel system.
Wiring solar panels in a parallel circuit connect all the positive terminals of all the solar panels together and all the negative terminals of all the panels together.
To wire two or more solar panels and batteries in parallel simply connect the positive terminal of solar panel or battery to the positive terminal of solar panel or battery and vise versa respectively as shown in the fig below.
The amps of electrical current for each solar panel are summed together but the system voltage stays the same.
Firstly lets take a look at connecting solar panels in series.
Wiring solar pv panels in parallel the next basic type of connecting solar panels is in parallel.
The white line is the negative connection all 3 panel negative wires are just simply tied together and to the wire that runs back to the negative connection on the charge controller.
If you look at the arrows along the white and red lines they are showing the direction of flow.
In this first image there are 3 solar panels.
The connection of multiple solar panels in parallel arises from the need to reach certain current values at the output without changing the voltage.
If we have two or more solar panels with equal current and power and we want to increase the voltage the choice falls on the series connection.
When an installer wires your solar panels in parallel each panel s wires are connected to a centralized wire leading from the roof.