Can you exceed Solar Panels Nominal Max Power?

So the "peak watts" reading on the meter doesn't relate to how the controller can do twice as many watts at 24 than at 12 because the amps rating stays the same?

Was it the panels going above spec or just the watts being at 24 that did it? Is there a meter setting that didn't get swapped over with the change?

I know you can't get more just by changing from 12 to 24. I am wondering if it was a meter thing somehow. I know I am more than a little confused (again)