Older panels, high voltage, why?

[Solarhelpe]

Just bought a couple used 215watt panels for 20 bucks each. The max voltage is high enough to the point where I'm either gonna hit 95% and be uncomfortable hooking it to my 40amp controller in series or just have to go parallel.

Anyhow, why are the older panels such higher voltage?

 

[Ampster]

Anyhow, why are the older panels such higher voltage?

What is the number of cells in you panels? Panels come with 60, 72 and even sometimes with 96 cells.

 

[Mattb4]

Grid tie. Since they were connected to a grid tie inverter they use a high voltage for easier AC conversion.

 

[Ampster]

Yes my used Sunpower panels with 96 cells came off a commercial GT installation.

 

[MichaelK]

The max voltage is high enough to the point where I'm either gonna hit 95% and be uncomfortable hooking it to my 40amp controller in series or just have to go parallel.

What controller do you have? Is this for a 12V battery? With proper design, and the appropriate electronics, any battery and any set of panels could be utilized. But, we need the details first. Do you have a manual for your charge controller? Can you take a pic of it? What are the specifications documented on the back of your panels? They should have a paper sticker about 4"/10cm square with all the details printed on it.