Everyone is going solar with the world, trying to convert to green energy from fossil fuels. Solar panels are environmental-friendly and are what many people are installing.
But, the solar energy industry is relatively new, with much to learn. Of course, many questions are rising on important solar components such as solar panels.
In our case, we define the question, why do solar panels have different voltages? This article explains what it means and the reason for different voltages in solar panels.
Also, it focuses on other related questions of the same. So, ensure that you read through the content below.
Why Do My Solar Panels Deliver Different Voltage Outputs?
Solar panels are designed to work depending on the physics that govern them while maximizing watts per cost and not regulating the output. The current-voltage curve will vary depending on age, temperature, connection, and solarization.
For your solar panels, the voltages you see depend on three things, features of the external load, the diode, and the photon flux.
When the external load is a short circuit, most of the current flows through the circuit. It means you generate current without that much voltage, so the voltage readings are pretty low.
For the open circuit, the current is moving into the diode, and you can measure the forward voltage, which ranges from 0.55V to 0.6V
The last case would be when the external load is variable, allowing you to adjust your output current without reducing much of the voltage results.
There are many solar panel voltage outputs depending on various things, and they include:
Voltage At the Open Circuit
Open circuit voltage means the solar panels aren’t connected to any external load. The voltage you read in such a condition is at an open circuit.
Usually, people use this solar panel voltage to test things from the box.
The Voltage at Maximum Power
The voltage at maximum power occurs when the solar panel is connected to an external load. The voltage is measured when the solar panels operate at their peak performance.
Nominal Voltage
This voltage output is, as the name suggests, and you mustn’t expect to see it on the PV module specification. It is the voltage used in the classification methods when the batteries were the only going devices in a system.
Temperature Coefficient of Voltage
This solar panel voltage varies depending on the available amount of sunlight. The voltage will change as the temperature increases or decreases.
Do Solar Panels Always Have the Same Voltage?
Solar panels don’t always have the same voltage. They can be wired in various arrangements, such as parallel and series, to increase the voltage and current.
For example, a 12V solar panel usually has a voltage of 17.0 Volts, but with a regulator, it can lower between 13 to 15 volts. Of course, the regulator works depending on the battery it is charging.
Other than the arrangement, solar panels are affected by the temperature. What is the cell operating temperature?
Usually, solar panels are rated as per the average sun day of 25 degrees Celsius. However, depending on the temperature, the output may vary by 2.5 to 5 degrees Celsius.
Do solar panels have the same voltage? No, many things define the voltage output, including the temperature, solar panel arrangement, external load, age, etc.
So, it would be best to remember these things when defining the voltage output and determining the important stuff for your solar panel.
What Would Happen If Two Solar Panels of Different Voltages Were Connected?
We have defined that solar panels have different voltages, and various reasons result from such data. But what happens when you connect solar panels of multiple voltages?
Generally, connecting solar panels of different voltages isn’t recommended. After all, it will affect either the voltage or current results.
With that, there is low output power, leading to less solar-generated power.
Can you connect solar panels of different voltages? Yes, but you must ensure they have the same current and combine them in the series arrangement.
It would help to understand that using solar panels of different voltages isn’t a great choice. It often lowers the power output since people don’t know how to maximize solar panels.
Thus, if you plan on using different solar panels from various manufacturers, you can ensure they have the same voltage and current.
Can I Mix 12V And 24V Solar Panels?
Can I combine 12V and 24V solar panels? Yes!
But, it isn’t a very efficient move since it wastes so much power. The current is constant, but you are working at a low voltage leading to a waste of power.
If you must connect these panels, an MPPT is an excellent choice to help auto-adjust the PV module to work at the optimum power level.
It is important to note that you can connect the 12V and 24V solar panels, but you have to ensure that the maximum setting on the back of the solar panel isn’t prone to damage due to this connection. Despite being able to connect, note that the move is inefficient and something few people recommend.
If you must connect them, the best choice is the MPPT-based charge controller.
Does The Voltage of a Solar Panel Matter?
When your home is going solar, the homeowner works on creating a solar array where they arrange multiple solar panels to power up your home with a stable solar generating system. The arrangement can either be in series or parallel.
For this case, we discuss the solar array voltage. Does it matter regarding delivering the power the solar system has?
Usually, the PV has the maximum voltage it can hold, and when the solar panels are connected in series, the voltage is high. Also, the more modules you have will generate more power.
The maximum input voltage represents the highest voltage your solar system can hold. It is crucial to ensure you don’t exceed these numbers since you risk damaging your inverter after passing the maximum voltage setting.
Overloading your inverter will lead to problems in the entire solar generating system. So, it would be best to avoid it.
