Can I combine 2 different solar panels?

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Advanced Solar Electric Technical Forum #1
I have an old, cracked 60W panel about 10-15 years old it looks like.
It produces 0.7 amps in full sunlight.

I want to buy a brand-new 115W panel.

Can I string these together and connect them both to my SolarBoost 2000E charge controller?

Thanks,

Matthew
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Comments

  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Can I combine 2 different solar panels?

    Matthew can you please post all the data from the back of the old panel, including make, and the make, model and specs for the 'new ' panel you wish to mate to the 'old' one..

    thanks
    Eric
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Can I combine 2 different solar panels?
    CathInfo wrote: »
    I want to buy a brand-new 115W panel.
    Can I string these together and connect them both to my SolarBoost 2000E charge controller?
    Thanks, Matthew

    You can series connect panels with like Amps

    You can parallel connect panels with like Voltage (Vmp)

    Frankly, I wouldn't bother with the cracked panel, exposed to the weather, even if it looks repaired, it won't likely last long, save the money, and get a larger primary panel.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #4
    Re: Can I combine 2 different solar panels?

    The old one is:

    Holec (Serial # 008497)
    Module HS.40.1
    33.5 inches X 21.75 inches

    They don't seem to have a website...

    It has several long cracks on the front, and it only generates .7 amps at the most at 17.X volts.

    I'm looking at a

    BPSX-3115 115W

    Which will deliver 6.85A @ 16.8V
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Can I combine 2 different solar panels?

    BPSX-3115 115W Which will deliver 6.85A @ 16.8V

    In Hot Weather, you will loose voltage, (thermal coefficient of all solar panels) putting you very close to a non-charging situation. If not too hot, you will be OK Deep cycle batteries need ~15V to fully charge. Some voltage is "lost" in the charge controller.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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