If you would like to do the solar panel installation on your own, that can be a great idea. It would allow you to save a lot of money. Aside from knowing which materials you should buy, you also have to be able to learn how to properly wire up the system. That way, there will be less energy loss within the system and the solar energy that is collected by the panels will be utilized well. With correct wiring, you will surely be able to enjoy the benefits from your solar power system.

Before you even start solar panels installation at home, make sure that you have enough panels that can provide the energy that you need. Also, there are two basic wiring methods that you need to understand—parallel and series wiring. When you know more about these wiring techniques, you can choose which one will work best for your needs and preferences.

Parallel Solar Panel Installation

Parallel wiring is quite simple. What happens is that you would need to thread the panels together by using a single line of wiring for the positive terminals of the panels and another line of wiring for the negative terminals of the panels.

For example, if you got 5 panels that you have put together, you first have to lay it side by side. All positive terminals should be on top and all negative terminals would be found on the lower part. Thread a wire through one of the terminals and you will come up with a parallel wiring.

What would be the effect of this method of wiring? What will happen is that the total voltage output would not change even if you increase the number of panels that are wired in parallel. The value of the voltage will be equivalent to the value of a single panel. On the other hand, the amperage output will increase. Add the amperage of each panel and that would be the total output. The more panels there are, the higher the amperage will be.

Series Solar Panel Installation

Series wiring is a bit more complex. Instead of connecting the panels through the same terminals, it would be done alternately. For example, this means that the positive terminal of panel A will be connected to the negative terminal of panel B. Then the negative terminal of panel B will be connected to the positive terminal of panel C. And it goes on.

As an effect, the amperage will remain the same as the value of a single panel. Yet the voltage output will increase as more panels are added.

Using the Right Wiring for Solar Panel Installation

Either method of wiring during solar panel installation will produce the same number of wattage which is more important when powering up your home appliances. You can choose between the two methods depending on the specifications of your appliances—whether you need higher amperage or voltage. Series wiring has an advantage of keeping the system safe because when one group of panels stop working, it does not necessarily have to affect the others. Series wiring on the other hand maintains continuity of electrical flow.