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Series connect 12v panel with 48volt solar panel.

Bobshep

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Feb 9, 2020
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With a series connection of a 12volt panel With a 48volt solar panel, will this result in 60volt for an inverter?
 
With a series connection of a 12volt panel With a 48volt solar panel, will this result in 60volt for an inverter?
Maybe VOC because there is no load but, current plays into the total watt output so mixing panels that are more that a few volts off from each other will not result in the output you think.
In series panel voltage adds current does not.
I suggest you don't put them in the same string.
 
The basic rule of thumb is that if you put panels in series, all the panels will run at the lowest common amperage, and if you put them in parallel they'll run at the lowest common voltage.

So, if you hooked up a 100w "12v" panel with a 500w "48v panel" the common point either way would be 100w limit on each panel, or 200w total out of 600w worth of glass.

The only way to get "12v panels" and "48v panels" to work even semi close is to string enough of the 12v panels in series so that their total combined voltage was as close to the 48v panel as possible and then parallel that string with the 48v. Not an ideal way to do things but it could be done.
 
The basic rule of thumb is that if you put panels in series, all the panels will run at the lowest common amperage, and if you put them in parallel they'll run at the lowest common voltage.

So, if you hooked up a 100w "12v" panel with a 500w "48v panel" the common point either way would be 100w limit on each panel, or 200w total out of 600w worth of glass.

The only way to get "12v panels" and "48v panels" to work even semi close is to string enough of the 12v panels in series so that their total combined voltage was as close to the 48v panel as possible and then parallel that string with the 48v. Not an ideal way to do things but it could be done.
Thank you, your reply seams correct. Learned something today
 
The basic rule of thumb is that if you put panels in series, all the panels will run at the lowest common amperage, and if you put them in parallel they'll run at the lowest common voltage.

So, if you hooked up a 100w "12v" panel with a 500w "48v panel" the common point either way would be 100w limit on each panel, or 200w total out of 600w worth of glass.

The only way to get "12v panels" and "48v panels" to work even semi close is to string enough of the 12v panels in series so that their total combined voltage was as close to the 48v panel as possible and then parallel that string with the 48v. Not an ideal way to do things but it could be done.
Thank you , makes sense.
 
Series connected. Yes, the voltages do add.
Current will be the lower of the two. If very different, e.g. 48V panel puts out 10A but 12V panel only 5A, then at some loaded voltage the 10A will be forced through bypass diodes of 12V panel, burning out the diodes (and maybe the panel.)

I think it is fair game if current ratings are similar.

Are you sure those are nominal 12V and 48V panels? Or 12V nominal (22Voc) and another panel around 48Voc?
Share all specs from labels, or pictures or links.

Does your "inverter" want 60V? Or maybe the MPPT input of a charge controller?
Share the specs.

The only way to get "12v panels" and "48v panels" to work even semi close is to string enough of the 12v panels in series so that their total combined voltage was as close to the 48v panel as possible and then parallel that string with the 48v. Not an ideal way to do things but it could be done.

For parallel connection.
Likely better than series connection of different models.
I have strings of 12V, 24V, 36V (varying quantity in series) for similar Vmp, which I connected in parallel.
 
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