When solar panels are wired in series the voltage of the panels adds together but the amperage remains the same.
Caravan solar panels series or parallel.
Comparing solar panels in series vs.
Wiring solar pv panels in parallel.
Voltage amps of wiring solar panels in series vs parallel.
Solar panels are connected in parallel to obtain higher output current.
Now lets look at connecting solar panels in parallel.
The panels are all the same 175 watt panels each has some kind of roof entry gland a charge controller and the batteries.
For example if you installed 5 solar panels in series with each solar panel rated at 12 volts and 5 amps you d still have 5 amps but a full 60 volts.
The connection of multiple solar panels in parallel arises from the need to reach certain current values at the output without changing the voltage.
This is usually used with 12v set ups.
When installing solar panels in series the voltage adds up but the current stays the same for all of the elements.
How to set up your system in series parallel.
The next basic type of connecting solar panels is in parallel.
This is called a string.
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.
In fact by wiring several solar panels in series we increase the voltage keeping the same current while wiring them in parallel we increase the current keeping the same voltage.
The capacity of a solar panel to produce energy is measured in watts which is calculated by multiplying a solar panel s voltage by the amps of current it produces when a solar installer builds a solar energy system they need to find the right balance of voltage and amps to ensure that the system performs well.
So if you connect two solar panels with a rated voltage of 40 volts and a rated amperage of 5 amps in series the voltage of the series would be 80 volts while the amperage would remain at 5 amps.
All parts on this first diagram are for the most part the same.
Parallel is the most commonly used wiring configuration because when you put two panels together you double the amps when you put 3 you triple and on a large caravan motor home you can place 4 solar panels and quadruple your amperage but maintain the voltage.
There are some major benefits to connecting solar panels in series.
A series parallel connection is accomplished by using both a series and a parallel connection.
So when connecting solar panels in series always try to keep the electrical properties of the solar panels identical to get the full benefit of the solar array.