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Fra avatar image
Fra asked

How to pair 2 non-identical solar panels

Hello, for some years I have owned a 300w monocrystalline panel with mppt smartsolar 30A regulator on my rv where I live.

Now I would like to increase the power of the photovoltaic.

I'm undecided whether to replace the current panel with a 450 watt half cut ... But. I'd rather add another 300/400 watt to the current.

What do I have to respect to couple 2 non-identical panels?

What happens if one has the MPP voltage at 32 volts and the other at 34v and I put them in parallel?

Or what if one has the max current at 9A and the other at 10A and I put them in series?

Thank you

Solar Panelsolarsolar sizing
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2 Answers
pwfarnell avatar image
pwfarnell answered ·

To put panels in parallel they should have the same or close max power voltage Vmp. If they do not match, the combined panels will settle somewhere between one or the other and total power will be down perhaps only on one panel. The closer the Vmp values, the lower the loss in power.

To put panels in series they should have the same or close max power current Imp. If they do not match then the combined Imp will be limited to the the Imp of the lower rated panel.

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pepe1395 avatar image
pepe1395 answered ·

Buy another SmartSolar, that’s it.

Ciao!

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