Hello, I have a question on wiring panels together.
Background: My wife and I live in a converted van full time. Our knowledge in solar/electrical is getting better but still not that great. We had originally paid a van conversion company to do our electrical system and we were going to the interior, etc. That van was hit while parked and ended up being totaled. We were able to salvage our panels from that build and completed our new build under the eye of that builder (he let us work on it in his shop, etc.).
We ended up having to mix panels together due to circumstances so we are using 2 Renogy 100 watt panels and 2 Newpowa 210 watt panels. We learned that the builder didn’t actually know a lot about electrical as we kept finding mistakes, etc.
Now we are wondering if the panels are not wired correctly as we are only getting a maximum of 280 watts out of 620 in peak sun. Our jackery panels that we laid down flat to compare are producing 80 watts each.
We were assured that there wouldn’t be much loss in power by the differing panels. They did this by connecting the two renogy panels and making them into one supposedly by connecting those in a series than parallel to the Newpowa.
We ended up testing both sides separately as well to get readings of equal panels.
Newpowa in parallel were getting: 230 watts out of 420.
Renogy were getting 55 watts out of 200 with the series connection. When combined they are equaling up to the 280ish stated earlier.
They both seem low.
We also did all four in parallel and that did not change the wattage. It was the same.
Is it as simple as expecting too much? It just seems like we aren’t getting much more than when we had a 300 watt panel on our last build. We are in the upper peninsula of Michigan currently as I know location can make a difference but then why are the jackery panels performing much better?
Hoping this all makes sense and my terminology is correct. We will probably try them individually at one point soon but it’s hard to do that in our current location and would like to know if right away issues can be seen.
Thank you!
These are the panels we have:
Background: My wife and I live in a converted van full time. Our knowledge in solar/electrical is getting better but still not that great. We had originally paid a van conversion company to do our electrical system and we were going to the interior, etc. That van was hit while parked and ended up being totaled. We were able to salvage our panels from that build and completed our new build under the eye of that builder (he let us work on it in his shop, etc.).
We ended up having to mix panels together due to circumstances so we are using 2 Renogy 100 watt panels and 2 Newpowa 210 watt panels. We learned that the builder didn’t actually know a lot about electrical as we kept finding mistakes, etc.
Now we are wondering if the panels are not wired correctly as we are only getting a maximum of 280 watts out of 620 in peak sun. Our jackery panels that we laid down flat to compare are producing 80 watts each.
We were assured that there wouldn’t be much loss in power by the differing panels. They did this by connecting the two renogy panels and making them into one supposedly by connecting those in a series than parallel to the Newpowa.
We ended up testing both sides separately as well to get readings of equal panels.
Newpowa in parallel were getting: 230 watts out of 420.
Renogy were getting 55 watts out of 200 with the series connection. When combined they are equaling up to the 280ish stated earlier.
They both seem low.
We also did all four in parallel and that did not change the wattage. It was the same.
Is it as simple as expecting too much? It just seems like we aren’t getting much more than when we had a 300 watt panel on our last build. We are in the upper peninsula of Michigan currently as I know location can make a difference but then why are the jackery panels performing much better?
Hoping this all makes sense and my terminology is correct. We will probably try them individually at one point soon but it’s hard to do that in our current location and would like to know if right away issues can be seen.
Thank you!
These are the panels we have:
210W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Newpowa 210W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel is commonly used in RV, marine, overlanding, traffic signals and various off-grid applications. Top branded, Free shipping!
www.newpowa.com
100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel (Compact Design)
Renogy 100 watt monocrystalline solar panel, rv solar panel, off-grid solar panel for sale. Limited time sale, 10% off: Renogy10off
www.renogy.com