Forum Discussion

CA_Traveler's avatar
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2016

Solar Panel Mixed Technology

Everyone knows that parallel panels should be the same voltage and serial panels the same amps. But what about mixing panels with different basic technology of say mono vs poly vs whatever. How would this effect PWM or MPPT controller output?

I'd guess that mixed panel technology would have some degradation at least in some light conditions.

2 Replies

  • scrubjaysnest's avatar
    scrubjaysnest
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2016
    For parallel operation, Vmp should be within a volt for the panels. The CC for the most part won't care whether or not it's poly and mono. If your talking something in the 400 watt range or higher where MPPT becomes desired it may have some slight effect.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 19, 2016
    Hi Bob,

    If you must mix and match I think a pwm controller would not get as "confused" as an MPPT unit. Accepting that premise means that voltage needs to be the same and wiring should be in parallel.

    The insolaton to power curves seem quite similar.

    Someone here had a poly and a mono. The mono would drop out when clouds passed by.

    But, if I were going to add to my amorphous panels I'd pick poly. Or I'd start over with all poly.

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