Series connection of solar panels. Solar electrical system assembly diagram. Connecting solar panels
Or you just want to organize an independent power supply for the site, the first thing you need to do is select a suitable power plant and figure out its connection. Both the first and second points can raise many questions, especially for beginners in electrics. So that readers of "" can connect the panels to each other and connect them to home network Next we will look at the most effective connection schemes solar panels to the controller, battery and network country house!
So, the first thing you should have an idea about is what the solar power plant kit consists of. The main elements of the system are represented by the following devices:
- Solar panels or as they are also called Solar cells, panels or photovoltaic converters. They are needed for conversion sunlight into electricity.
- Controller solar panels. Monitors the charge and discharge of the battery. There are different types– On/Off, PWM, MPPT. The controllers are listed in order of increasing complexity and efficiency of charging algorithms. MPPT - allow you to achieve greater efficiency due to the fact that they find optimal parameters voltage and current, to pump the maximum possible power into the batteries. This occurs based on an analysis of the current operating mode and the current-voltage characteristics of the solar panel. The main task of the controller is to monitor the battery charge in order to prevent overcharging or excessive discharge. In simple words When the battery is fully charged or discharged, the battery is disconnected from the panel or load.
- The battery is designed to store generated electricity.
- Inverter - converts 12 Volts into 220 AC, necessary for the operation of household electrical appliances, lighting systems and household appliances.
We draw your attention to the fact that it is advisable to install fuses between all devices: controller, inverter, load and battery, which will protect the system during!
In its simplest form, the diagram for connecting solar panels to the controller, battery, inverter and load looks like this: 
As you can see, there are no particular difficulties in connecting, the main thing is to observe the polarity and connect all the plugs to the correct connectors of the controller. In this version it is very difficult to confuse something. But if you decide to use electricity from the sun at the same time as fixed network, the diagram for connecting solar panels to the electrical grid at home should look like this: 
Here we need to clarify: the reserved load is a boiler and, for example, a refrigerator. Not reserved – Appliances, light in the house, etc. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the redundant electrical appliances can operate in autonomous mode!
With a diagram for connecting solar panels to the network alternating current figured it out. Now we need to consider at least important part question - correct connection panels to each other.
If you have a ready-made solar panel, then you need to find out what it is output voltage and connect to the controller, but they come in 12 and 24V and 12/24V. If your solar panel is designed to work with 12V batteries and controllers, you need to connect them directly. Sometimes you need to connect batteries in series to get the right voltage. Therefore, we will consider three main connection methods. The same recommendations for assembling a solar battery with your own hands from individual cells.
When installing solar power plants, the question inevitably arises: how to connect solar panels and how the connection options differ. This is exactly what we will talk about in this article.
There are 3 options for connecting solar panels to each other:
Serial connection
Parallel connection
Series-parallel connection of solar panels
In order to understand how they differ, let’s look at the main characteristics of solar panels:
The nominal voltage of a solar battery is usually 12V or 24V, but there are exceptions
Voltage at peak power Vmp – voltage at which the panel produces maximum power
Open circuit voltage Voc – voltage when there is no load (important when choosing a battery charge controller)
Maximum voltage in the Vdc system - determines maximum amount panels combined together
Current Imp – current at maximum panel power
Current Isc – current short circuit, maximum possible panel current
The power of a solar panel is determined as the product of Voltage and Current at the point of maximum power - Vmp* Imp
Depending on which solar panel connection scheme is selected, the characteristics of the solar panel system will be determined and the appropriate charge controller will be selected.
Now let’s take a closer look at each connection diagram:
1) Serial connection solar panels
With this connection, the negative terminal of the first panel is connected to the positive terminal of the second, the negative terminal of the second to the terminal of the third, and so on.
When connecting several panels in series, the voltage of all panels will add up. The system current will be equal to the panel current with the minimum current. For this reason, it is not recommended to connect panels in series with different maximum current values, since they will not work at full capacity.
Let's look at an example:
We have 4 solar monocrystalline panels with the following characteristics:
Solar battery rated voltage: 12V
Voltage at peak power Vmp: 18.46 V
Open circuit voltage Voc: 22.48V
Maximum voltage in the system Vdc: 1000V
Current at maximum power point Imp: 5.42A
Short circuit current Isc: 5.65A
By connecting 4 such panels in series, we get a rated output voltage of 12V*4=48V. Open circuit voltage = 22.48V*4=89.92V and Current at the maximum power point is 5.42A. These three parameters give us restrictions when choosing a charge controller.
2) Parallel connection solar panels
IN in this case panels are connected using special Y - connectors. These connectors have two inputs and one output. Terminals of the same sign are connected to the inputs.
With this connection, the voltage at the output of each panel will be equal to each other and equal to the voltage at the output of the panel system. The current from all panels will add up. This connection allows you to increase the current from the panels without increasing the voltage.
Let's look at the example of the same 4 panels:
By connecting 4 such panels in parallel, we get a nominal output voltage of 12V. The open circuit voltage will remain 22.48V, but the current will be 5.42A*4=21.68A.
3) Series-parallel connection of solar panels
The last type of connection combines the previous two. Applying this diagram connection of panels, we can regulate the voltage and current at the output of several panels, which will allow us to select the most optimal operating mode for the entire solar power plant.
In the case of such a connection, chains of panels connected in series are combined in parallel.
Let's return to our example with 4 panels:
By connecting 2 panels in series and then combining them by connecting chains of panels in parallel, we get the following. The rated output voltage will be equal to the sum of two series-connected panels 12V*2=24V, the open-circuit voltage will be 22.48V*2=44.96V, and the current will be 5.42A*2=10.84A.
Such a connection will allow you to save as much as possible on the purchase of a charge controller, since it will not be required to withstand high voltages as in the case serial connection or high currents as in the case parallel connection. That is why, when connecting panels to each other, it is necessary to strive for a balance between currents and voltages.
You can read about how to choose a charge controller here -
And if you want to buy a solar power plant, call 8-800-100-82-43 (+7-499-709-75-09) or leave a request on the website and we will do everything necessary calculations and we will select the optimal package for you!
Connecting solar panels often raises certain questions, especially when you need to connect several modules. It seems that it is very difficult process, requiring specific knowledge. But in fact, the connection diagram is very simple, it is easy to implement and assemble a photo battery of the required power.
There are three options for including batteries in common circuit. These are serial, parallel and mixed (series-parallel) connections.
In this case, the terminals of the same name of the two modules are connected to each other (“plus” with “plus”, “minus” with “minus”). Next, wires are output from the terminals of one of the photomodules, which are connected either to the charge controller or directly to the battery. Thus, you can combine any number of solar panels, the main thing is to connect only terminals of the same name to each other.
This circuit involves connecting the “plus” of the first module to the “minus” of the second, and the output of external wires from the “minus” of the first photomodule and the “plus” of the second. Here it also does not matter how many solar panels will be combined into one battery. The main thing is not to violate the principle. “Plus” of the first to the “minus” of the second, “plus” of the second to the “minus” of the third, “plus” of the third to the “minus” of the fourth, etc. Wires from unused terminals (“minus” of the first module and “plus” of the last) are output to the controller or battery.
A mixed connection scheme is often used. In this case, first you need to assemble two groups of parallel-connected modules (by combining terminals of the same name), and then connect them to each other in series as if they were single modules, not groups. The number of groups (as well as the number of batteries in them) can be any.
Why are different connections needed?
Different switching methods are necessary to obtain the desired output parameters. For example, if you need to provide a power of 160 W and a voltage of 12 V, but the power of one solar battery is only 80 W at the required 12 V, then this means that you need to connect 2 batteries in parallel. As a result, the system voltage will not change (12 V), and the total output power will become 160 W. If it is necessary to obtain an output voltage not of 12 V, but, say, 24 V, then in this case a series connection of two modules is used. The mixed circuit allows you to adjust both parameters simultaneously. Thus, using different types switching, you can assemble a solar power plant with characteristics that are optimally suitable for operation.
Connecting to the home energy system
As for the integration of the assembled solar battery into the energy system of a private home, there are several options. Thus, the most popular is a circuit using a charge controller, a battery inverter and batteries. The voltage from the heliofield is first directed to charge the battery and only after that is transmitted to the load.
The load is usually divided into 2 categories: redundant (refrigerators, gas boilers, emergency lighting etc.) and non-redundant (regular lighting, computer, etc.). The power consumption of redundant devices can be any, but their duration battery life determined by the battery capacity.
Thanks to the presence of a special battery inverter, it becomes possible transfer electricity to the load if the battery voltage exceeds set value. At the same time, consumers can be powered from solar energy even if there is voltage in the central power grid. Thus, the external energy consumption of the house is significantly reduced.
When the central network is disconnected, the inverter will power the redundant load from the battery. If the heliofield produces energy at this time, then the inverter uses it too. Excess solar energy not spent on the load will be used to charge the battery. This circuit is excellent for providing autonomous power supply; it also works in the absence of a central supply voltage. But at the same time, the non-redundant load will be powered only from the sun (using residual technology); redundant consumers are priority.
If you plan to use the heliofield only to reduce energy consumption from external network, then you can use a simpler and cheaper scheme. It is much more profitable during rare and short-term power outages. During the day, the heliofield supplies energy to consumers; if this is not enough, then electricity is taken from the external network. But when the centralized power is turned off, the inverter will turn off and solar energy will not be used. The redundant load will be powered by the battery.
There are 3 options for connecting solar panels to each other:
Serial connection
Parallel connection
Series-parallel connection of solar panels.
This article is just to understand each of them.
Possible options connecting solar panels (solar panels)
There are 3 options for connecting solar panels to each other:
Serial connection;
Parallel connection;
Series-parallel connection.
In order to understand how they differ, let’s look at the main characteristics. solar panels:
The rated voltage of the solar battery is usually 12V or 24V;
. Voltage at peak power Vmp - the voltage at which the battery produces maximum power;
. Open circuit voltage Voc - voltage when there is no load (important when choosing a charge controller);
Maximum voltage in the Vdc system - determines the maximum number of batteries combined together;
. Current Imp - current at maximum battery power;
. Current Isc - short circuit current, the maximum possible battery current.
The power of a solar battery is determined as the product of Voltage and Current at the point of maximum power - Vmp x Imp
Depending on which solar panel connection scheme is selected, the characteristics of the solar panel system will be determined and the appropriate charge controller will be selected.
Let's look at each connection diagram:
1) Serial connection solar panels:
With this connection, the negative terminal of the first battery is connected to the positive terminal of the second, the negative terminal of the second to the terminal of the third, and so on.
When several batteries are connected in series, the voltage of all of them will add up. The system current will be equal to the battery current with minimum current. For this reason, it is not recommended to connect batteries in series with different maximum power current values, since they will not work at full capacity.
Let's look at an example:
We have 4 solar monocrystalline batteries with the following characteristics:
Rated voltage: 12V
. Voltage at peak power Vmp: 18.46 V
. Open circuit voltage Voc: 22.48V
. Maximum voltage in the system Vdc: 1000V
. Current at maximum power point Imp: 5.42A
. Short circuit current Isc: 5.65A
By connecting 4 such batteries in series, we get a rated output voltage of 12Vx 4=48V. Open circuit voltage = 22.48V x 4 = 89.92V and Current at the maximum power point is 5.42A. These three parameters give us restrictions when choosing a charge controller.
2) Parallel connection solar panels
In this case, the batteries are connected using special Y-connectors. These connectors have two inputs and one output. Terminals of the same sign are connected to the inputs.
With this connection, the voltage at the output of each battery will be equal to each other and equal to the voltage at the output of the battery system. The current from all batteries will add up. This connection allows you to increase the current from them without increasing the voltage.
Let's look at the example of the same 4 batteries:
By connecting 4 such batteries in parallel, we get a nominal output voltage of 12V. The open circuit voltage will remain 22.48V, but the current will be equal to 5.42A x 4 = 21.68A. 
3) Series-parallel connection of solar panels
The last type of connection combines the previous two. Using this battery connection scheme, we can regulate the voltage and current at the output of several batteries from the system, which will allow us to select the most optimal operating mode for the entire solar power plant.
In the case of such a connection, strings of batteries connected in series are combined in parallel.
Let's return to our example with 4 batches:
By connecting 2 batteries in series and then combining them by connecting chains of batteries in parallel, we get the following. The rated output voltage will be equal to the sum of two series-connected batteries 12V x 2=24V, the open circuit voltage will be 22.48V x 2=44.96V, and the current will be 5.42A x2=10.84A.
Such a connection will allow you to save as much as possible on the purchase of a charge controller, since it will not be required to withstand high voltages as in the case of a series connection or high currents as in the case of a parallel connection. That is why, when connecting panels to each other, it is necessary to strive for a balance between currents and voltages.
You can read about how to choose a charge controller
Solar battery is alternative source power supply, they are most often used when it is not possible to connect to regular electricity. It is important not only to purchase or assemble a photocell, but also to correctly connect it to the house to supply power.
Solar battery diagram
Depending on the manufacturer and installation form, the device may contain the following components:
- solar panels;
- charge controller;
- several inverters;
- wires for connection.
What to pay attention to when installing
The calculations for connecting solar panels (Click to enlarge) are not very finicky, and therefore they can be installed almost anywhere on your roof, balcony, or right on the site of a country house. The main thing in connection is compliance with two rules, without which electricity consumption will be almost impossible:
- angle of inclination from the horizon;
- location orientation.
So, the surface should face south, since the more rays that hit the battery at 90 degrees, the better the device will work. Can't be named exact coordinates and the principle of placement because it all depends on your area, climate, length of the season and is absolutely unique. If you are a resident of the Moscow region, then your angle of inclination will be 15-20 degrees in summer, and from 60 to 70 degrees in winter. In order for the batteries to be brought maximum effect, it is necessary to change their location every summer and winter.
Keep in mind: Solar installations should not come into contact with cold temperatures, and therefore if you want to install them directly on the site, raise the solar cells 50 centimeters from ground level, this will protect them from snow and hypothermia.
Mounting the device
Solar panel connection diagram (Click to enlarge) Solar panels must be properly secured at four points, and this must be done on the long side to avoid damage.
You can choose the most convenient way for mounting photocells:
- clamps;
- bolts through the holes at the bottom of the frame.
There is no need to make new holes in order to attach the panel; usually, the frames already provide all the options. If you damage the panel in any way or drill additional holes into it, your warranty will no longer apply.
Battery connection
Solar battery connection diagram (Click to enlarge) The structure of the solar battery is quite complex, and therefore during assembly it is necessary to connect all components in series, according to the diagram:
- Take a copper cable and connect the battery to the controller using the cable (it has special icon batteries), plus to plus, and, accordingly, minus to minus.
- Connect the photocell to the controller in the same way. To avoid confusion, you will see a solar panel sign on the controller. If you want to connect not one battery, but several, then each subsequent one must be installed in parallel with the previous one.
- After this, proceed to connect the inverter to the battery, according to the principle - plus to plus, minus to minus.
Note: If the connection sequence is interrupted, the controller may break down.
How to connect a solar panel, see next video:
