Solar panels – examples of a serial and parallel connection

The above diagrams show the difference in the serial versus the parallel connection of solar panels.

With serial connection, you connect the MC4 connector of one panel to the other. The voltage of the panels will increase. The current will be the same.
For example: for a micro-inverter to work properly, the voltage of the solar panel must be between 20V to 50V.  So with a single panel of 140Wp which has the voltage bellow 20V (only 18V), it cannot work. In order to work properly, you need to connect two panels in series to have the 36V voltage.

In order to yield higher solar energy even during lower sunshine days, MC4 T- branch connector 1 to 2 to make a parallel connection. With a parallel connection, the voltage remains the same and the current will increase. To make the parallel connection you need to use the MC4 T- branch connector 1 to 2.
Note: the regular solar cables and MC4 connectors are designed for currents up to 10 Amp. For higher currents, it is strongly recommended to use thicker cables and special high current types of the MC connectors or other types of DC connectors (sold by selected specialists).

More diagrams to be downloaded in the attachments below the gallery.