Project complete: 500w solar install, plus 2000w inverter

SJ-Chris wrote:
.I could run them in series. This would double the voltage and cut the current in half. My voltage drop % would go from ~3.5% down to ~0.86%.

Nice job!

Yes, series cuts the wire size, the voltage loss and the combiner box. It isn't as big a deal with shade as you might think, provided your panels have bypass diodes. Inverters come in higher voltages too.

For your next install you may want to consider being able to tilt the panels. Makes a big difference in winter.