diy solar

diy solar

Series / Parallel????

Rbertalotto

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 26, 2019
Messages
394
Question...Swapping PWM for MPPT.....I have three 140w panels on top of travel trailer and sometimes one panel is shaded by air conditioner.....If put in series, wouldn't I lose all power when that panel is shaded? Currently panels are in parallel with Bogart controller......Two 110Ah AGM Group 31 batteries.
 
In general, when panels are in series, any shading with one panel will affect the whole string. If the panel has any bypass diodes then you may not lose all power if one panel is only partially shaded.
 
I ran into the same issue when I put 3 panels on my motor home. I went up a wire size on the feed wires and put them all in parallel. So far as I know, the only real disadvantage of paralleling panels is the higher current sometimes requires larger gauge wire

Don
 
I'm running 4G welding wire from panels to CC, about 25'......Shouldn't have much loss...
 
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