Optimal panel arrangement

What would be the optimal arrangement of my solar panels into the controller?

I will be in an average ambient of 90F at a latitude of 10degrees (west africa). The temps can get as high as 110-115.

I have (4) 123W panels going into a BZ MPPT500 controller outputting into a 12V 1260Ah gel battery bank.

BZ MPPT500 controller

• VOCmax=100
• Pmax = 500 (they say it can go up to 1KW)
• Imax charge = 45

Each panel is a sharp ND-123UJF

• VMP 17.2
• IMP 7.15
• VOC 21.8
• ISC 7.99

3 options I see to connect the 4 panels are (no derating):

4 panels in series. Controller input would be:

• V=87.2
• I=8
• P=492

Low current, smaller wires. Running at the top end of my controller spec for power and voltage (although they says it's derated at least 50%). I'll run above the charging voltage most here.

4 panels in parallel. Controller input would be:

• V=21.8V
• I=32
• P=492

Alot of I so need large wire size into controller or I'll have a big voltage drop. In our temps and bad days, we will operate more often below charging point so the software will have to boost more often (is this a bad thing?)

2 strings of 2, each string in parallel with each other Controller input would be:

• V=43.6
• I=16
• P=492

Middle of the road but still higher current so larger wire than series connected. Should stay above charging voltage more often than parallel config.

Is my math right? Please comment on the logic for each system.

What would be the optimal arrangement for these panels into the controller? What factors are most important??

There are sooooooooo many variables to consider.

Kim