Parallel or Series

[NickD]

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Shall i connect solar panels parallel or series

20 amp mppt renogy Charge controller
2-100 watt panels
1000 watt coleman sine wane inverter
12v 100 amp hr SLA battery

 

[John Frum]

Please post all the information from the back of a solar panel(assuming they are all the same).
Also the exact model # of your solar charge controller would help us help you.

 

[NickD]

Yes both are the exact same
Also Renogy Rover PG mppt 20amp

• Related power:100W
• Open circuit voltage (Voc):21.6V
• Max power voltage (Vpm):17.3V
• Short circuit current (Isc):6.17A
• Working current (Iop):5.78A
• Temperate coefficient of Isc010+/- 0.01 ) %/℃
• Temperate coefficient of Voc:- (0.38 +/-0.01 ) %/℃
• Temperate coefficient of power Voc:-0.47%/℃
• Temperature range:-40℃to +80℃
• Frame:Heavy duty aluminum
• SLA Battery Voltage:12V
• Size:1000*670*35mm（39.4*26.4*1.4inch

 

[NickD]

Sorry unavailable to locate an exact model #

 

[John Frum]

Yes both are the exact same
Also Renogy Rover PG mppt 20amp

• Related power:100W
• Open circuit voltage (Voc):21.6V
• Max power voltage (Vpm):17.3V
• Short circuit current (Isc):6.17A
• Working current (Iop):5.78A
• Temperate coefficient of Isc010+/- 0.01 ) %/℃
• Temperate coefficient of Voc:- (0.38 +/-0.01 ) %/℃
• Temperate coefficient of power Voc:-0.47%/℃
• Temperature range:-40℃to +80℃
• Frame:Heavy duty aluminum
• SLA Battery Voltage:12V
• Size:1000*670*35mm（39.4*26.4*1.4inch

I can't find the manual for your charge controller but if it accepts pv input voltage greater than 43.2 you can run your panels in series.
Else you need to connect them in parralel.
I thought you were doing a 24 volt system, what gives?

 

[snoobler]

https://www.renogy.com/content/files/Manuals/Rover%20PG%20203040%20Manual.pdf

100VDC PV input limit

If you're looking to squeeze that last 1% efficiency out, most likely parallel. There is a small efficiency loss with higher panel voltages. MPPT controllers tend to work best with a panel voltage about 50% higher than the battery voltage. As you drive much higher than that, you can see some small losses.

However, higher voltage from the panel means less loss in the panel wires. If your panels have to be a long distance away, series is generally better since you'll have less losses through the wires connecting the panels to the controller.

 

[NickD]

Only 12v , only using for a 8x8 shed 2 small led lights
Couple of battery chargers
The shed is about 2 blocks from actual residence to easy way to get power other than solar

 

[GMB]

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Shall i connect solar panels parallel or series

20 amp mppt renogy Charge controller
2-100 watt panels
1000 watt coleman sine wane inverter
12v 100 amp hr SLA battery

This is a good video on the math behind series vs parallel.

 

[RCinFLA]

Charge controller is 100v max so should be okay there.

Charge conroller are alway have a bit less power conversion efficiency the greater the input voltage to battery voltage ratio. Renogy as well of others rarely give much info on this for competitive reasons. On the flip side you rarely get the most out of parallel panels due to imperfect Vmp matching.

You did not specify the length of wire from controller to panels which is an important consideration. Longer runs alway do better with series panels yielding less wire current loss for same power due to higher voltage and lower current.

Last consideration is you are likely to get partial shading of some panels. This is very bad for series connected panels.

Overall it is usually a better bet to go with series connected panels on an MPPT controller. At the least it saves you money on copper cost for wire gauge.