A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

General Category => System Design and Layout => Topic started by: NCPW on February 23, 2015, 07:27:52 PM

Title: series or parallel ?
Post by: NCPW on February 23, 2015, 07:27:52 PM
Hi i am looking for some advice on best configuration for
4 x 12v 95 watt modules on top of a caravan going to the MidNite Kid.

If there was no shading issues i would put them in series.
if one module in a series string is shaded what is the effect of this?

As there will be shading issues, varying from partial on one to all in partial shade,
i was thinking to put them all in parallel
Title: Re: series or parallel ?
Post by: Westbranch on February 23, 2015, 07:53:15 PM
shading of one panel in a series configuration will significantly lower the strings' output.

If you know you will have some shade, use the smallest strings (ie2) or all in parallel
For 4 in parallel you will need a combiner with circuit protection to prevent a shorted panel from back-feeding the others...
For 2 series strings, you just need a combiner , circuit protection is not needed but the CBs allow you to safely work on the system...