Solar Panels Connected In Series

When installing solar panels in series the voltage adds up but the current stays the same for all of the elements.

Solar panels connected in series.

To know the maximum system voltage we usually just need to turn the panel and read the label where the value is reported. When you wire in series there is just a single wire leading from the roof for each string of solar panels. So if you connect two solar panels with a rated voltage of 40 volts and a rated amperage of 5 amps in series the voltage of the series would be 80 volts while the amperage would remain at 5 amps. By connecting multiple solar panels in series we increase the system voltage.

When a solar installer wires your solar panels in a series each panel is connected to the next in a string the total voltage of each solar panel is summed together but the amps of electrical current stay the same. For example if you installed 5 solar panels in series with each solar panel rated at 12 volts and 5 amps you d still have 5 amps but a full 60 volts. When solar panels are wired in series the voltage of the panels adds together but the amperage remains the same. Whenever you connect with each other a 60w solar panel to a 100w panel in series the gross hooked up power is likely to be 160w given that the two solar panels are of identical ampere rating.

In a solar power system the higher the voltage and the lower the energy losses along the cables.