Different Voltage Solar Panels In Parallel

If you connect 2 solar panels of different voltage in series or in parallel 1st let consider 2 in series.

Different voltage solar panels in parallel.

It is possible to connect 2 solar panels of different voltage output in parallel. But first you need to connect rectifier diode on each output. Putting the two dissimilar panes in parallel is not a good idea. Wiring solar panels in parallel causes the amperage to increase but the voltage remains the same.

Then you get the sum of the two. That is the positive of one to the negative of the other. Mostly the higher voltage panel will deliver most of the current and the low voltage panel does little. If we have two solar panels with the same voltage but different wattage there is no problem.

So a 12v and 24 volt panel hooked in series will produce about 36v when connected to a load. It has anode and cathode the one marked with single line. Connecting solar panels in parallel is just the opposite of series connection and is used to increase the total output current of the array and hence the total output power while keeping the same voltage. On the other hand if our two solar panels have both different wattage and different voltage then parallel connection is not possible since the panel with the lowest voltage would behave like a load and would begin to absorb current instead of producing it with the relative consequences.

Rectifier diode will connect in forward bias. So if you wired the same panels from before in parallel the voltage of the system would remain at 40 volts but the amperage would increase to 10 amps. They can be wired in parallel. If you want to connect diode on positive of your panel choose the anode of your diode.

If the two panels have similar current ratings but different voltage rating you can put them in series to get the sum of the voltages at the single current rating.