Series vs parallel

cards385
cards385 Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
When soldering the solar cells which is better, putting them in series or parallel.
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Series vs parallel

    Both.

    You'll have to solder them in series to bring the voltage up to desired rate. After that, hook up the panels in series or parallel. Series stacks voltage in the panels. Parallel keeps the desired voltage and stacks the amperage. All my cells are soldered in series to achieve 18-20v no load, then the panels themselves are hooked up in parallel to stack amperage.
    Nature's Design & Green Energy on FaceBook : Stop by and "Like" us anytime.. Many up-to-date articles about Renewables every day.
    WWW.GreenAnything.Net    Ad free website.
    Lots of DIY Renewable Energy Projects on ETSY : Solar Panel builds, Wind Turbine builds, Rain Barrel build,etc.  
    · Share on Twitter
  • cards385
    cards385 Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭
    #3
    Re: Series vs parallel

    Thanks, I have one panel finished and I am starting on my 2nd one.
    · Share on Twitter
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Series vs parallel

    I did the same. When I was done, I had 17 panels.
    Nature's Design & Green Energy on FaceBook : Stop by and "Like" us anytime.. Many up-to-date articles about Renewables every day.
    WWW.GreenAnything.Net    Ad free website.
    Lots of DIY Renewable Energy Projects on ETSY : Solar Panel builds, Wind Turbine builds, Rain Barrel build,etc.  
    · Share on Twitter
  • DeltaFox
    DeltaFox Solar Expert Posts: 27 ✭
    #5
    Re: Series vs parallel

    GreenPowerManiac,

    you will have to show us pictures of all you panels. it sounds great.
    I have 3 panels one is of 4x4's and I'm working on a 6x6 and i will start on a 5x5 panel.just goofing around.
    · Share on Twitter
  • cards385
    cards385 Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭
    #6
    Re: Series vs parallel

    I am the same, its more of a hobby or winter project for me. my panel looks pretty good but it has a couple of cracked cells, they are so brittle, I cracked 3 in the first row but once I got the hang of it I didn't break any on the next 2 rows. Today in the sun I was getting about 15-16 volts from my panel, it has 24 (3x6) cells. I live in PA. so the sun is pretty weak right now, especially today. This week I am going to make a bigger panel, I will post pics later.
    · Share on Twitter
  • DeltaFox
    DeltaFox Solar Expert Posts: 27 ✭
    #7
    Re: Series vs parallel

    Today I'm going tom order some glass for my 6x6's and then buy some more 6x6's and 5x5's. I'd likr to do a 72 cell panel. I haven't tryed anything likr that yet. I started to make my own frames so it's alittle less exspensive. I have a link to all of the things I have been doing.

    ,http://s635.photobucket.com/albums/uu73/WayneBlake/.
    · Share on Twitter
  • GreenPowerManiac
    GreenPowerManiac Solar Expert Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Series vs parallel

    DeltaFox,

    If you wander from my Ezine page, you'll see what you're looking for.
    Nature's Design & Green Energy on FaceBook : Stop by and "Like" us anytime.. Many up-to-date articles about Renewables every day.
    WWW.GreenAnything.Net    Ad free website.
    Lots of DIY Renewable Energy Projects on ETSY : Solar Panel builds, Wind Turbine builds, Rain Barrel build,etc.  
    · Share on Twitter

Categories