Cheap solar panels with no diodes.

Started by Jacarandat, January 28, 2020, 01:43:56 PM

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Jacarandat

I bought solar panels to go with my classic charge controller, but I found that there are no diodes in the solar panels. Do I need to worry about power draining from the battery back into the solar panels? If so what's the best solution?

boB


If you have panels in series then yes, you will most likely want to add diodes.

Sometimes the diodes are built into the junction box on the panel but I suppose if the panel is small enough, then they might not be assuming you are using more than one panel in series.

A single PV panel or multiple panels in parallel shouldn't need diodes though since there would be no reverse current to worry about.

K7IQ 🌛  He/She/Me

Kent0

The diodes installed in most solar panels are bypass diodes. They provide a path for current (power) to flow through a shaded module. They are essential if there are modules wired in series. Generally series diodes are not necessary because all reputable charge controllers and inverters provide a method to prevent reverse power flow to the PV array. So, don't add series diodes. And don't wire PV modules lacking bypass diodes in series.

boB

Oh !   I was thinking bypass diodes, not series diodes for night leakage...   

......sounds kind of like an situation needing diapers    :)

K7IQ 🌛  He/She/Me