Running in Sereis - are panels 12v? | The Forum has been moved to support.renogy.com

tabtraveler
Solar Newcomer

Posts: 2

Running in Sereis - are panels 12v? Nov 10, 2018 23:33:46 GMT

Post by tabtraveler on Nov 10, 2018 23:33:46 GMT

I used to know the answer to this, but I have forgotten. When running panels in series, I understand that the watts of the panel remain constant, but the voltage is cumulative. My question is whether you add the voltage the panels are wired for (usually 12v or 24v) or the operating voltage?

I have 4, 50w Renogy Mini-Eclipse panels.

Maximum Power: 50W

Maximum System Voltage: 600V DC (UL)

Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp): 18.3V

Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc): 22.4V

Optimum Operating Current (Imp): 2.73A

Short-Circuit Current (Isc): 2.96A

Weight: 12.3 lbs

Dimensions: 23.4x20.8x1.37 inches

I have a Victron 100/15 SmartSolar controller. The maximum open circuit voltage is 100v, it rated for either 12v or 24v, and the maximum watts are 220 for 12v and 400 for 24v.

When I bought them, I thought it made sense because I could run them in in 2 arrays, each array wired in series and then both arrays in parallel or, if I was camping in a spot where I would have partial shade, I could switch to running all 4 in parallel. Do both of these set ups make sense? If I understand correctly, I could not run all 4 of the mini-Eclipse panels in series with this controller as the voltage would be 48v. Is this correct?

Thanks, in advance.

bupkis
Solar Aficionado

Posts: 1,151

Running in Sereis - are panels 12v? Nov 11, 2018 0:47:37 GMT

Post by bupkis on Nov 11, 2018 0:47:37 GMT

the 100 in the victron 100/15 is the max input voltage, usually you look at panels' Voc, in your case 22.4v and mulitply by the number of panels in series. 22.4 x 4 = 89.6v which is less than 100v so all 4 can be operated in series.

I'd go with 2 strings of 2 but it is your choice, all series might be easier.

You can also use them all in parallel, the '15' is the current limit and yours' are ~3A so 3A x 4 =12A which is less than 15A rating.

For the record this is incorrect "When running panels in series, I understand that the watts of the panel remain constant, but the voltage is cumulative."

in series the amps stay the same the voltage is additive.
in parallel the voltage stays the same the amps are additive.

both of the above increase the WATTS, ie 4 is series is 200w as is 4 in parallel.

it is nice having choices!

tabtraveler Solar Newcomer Posts: 2	Running in Sereis - are panels 12v? Nov 11, 2018 19:36:22 GMT via mobile Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by tabtraveler on Nov 11, 2018 19:36:22 GMT Thanks for clearing those things up for me!

Running in Sereis - are panels 12v?

Post by tabtraveler on Nov 10, 2018 23:33:46 GMT

Post by bupkis on Nov 11, 2018 0:47:37 GMT

Post by tabtraveler on Nov 11, 2018 19:36:22 GMT