Solar Calculator
Advanced Solar Calculator
System Parameters
100W
18V VOC, 5.5A
200W
22V VOC, 9A
300W
32V VOC, 9.5A
400W
36V VOC, 11A
500W
40V VOC, 12.5A
550W
42V VOC, 13.1A
600W
44V VOC, 13.6A
700W
48V VOC, 14.6A
750W
50V VOC, 15.0A
System Recommendations
Total Solar Needed:
Number of Panels:
Panel Configuration:
Charge Controller:
Wire Gauge:
Breakers Needed:
Battery Bank Size:
Hybrid Inverter Recommendations
Battery Recommendations
Parallel Panel Connection Diagram
+
-
100W
Panel 1
+
-
100W
Panel 2
Combiner Box
Breakers
To Charge Controller
Parallel Connection Instructions:
- Connect all positive (+) terminals together
- Connect all negative (-) terminals together
- Install a breaker for each panel (rated at 1.56 × Isc = 8.6A)
- Run combined positive to charge controller PV input (+)
- Run combined negative to charge controller PV input (-)
- Install main breaker on positive line (rated at 1.25 × total current)
Parallel Connection Characteristics:
- Voltage stays the same as single panel (18V)
- Current adds up (5.5A × number of panels)
- Use thick enough wire for higher combined current
- Each panel needs its own breaker (1.56 × Isc)
Series Panel Connection Diagram
+
-
100W
Panel 1
+
-
100W
Panel 2
String Breaker
Breaker
To Charge Controller
Series Connection Instructions:
- Connect negative (-) of Panel 1 to positive (+) of Panel 2
- Connect remaining positive (+) to charge controller PV input (+)
- Connect remaining negative (-) to charge controller PV input (-)
- Install a single string breaker (rated at 1.56 × Isc = 8.6A)
Series Connection Characteristics:
- Voltage adds up (18V × number of panels in series)
- Current stays the same as single panel (5.5A)
- Only need one breaker for the entire string
- Useful for higher voltage systems (24V, 48V)
Series-Parallel Connection Diagram
+
-
100W
Panel 1
+
-
100W
Panel 2
Breaker
+
-
100W
Panel 3
+
-
100W
Panel 4
Breaker
Combiner Box
Main Breaker
To Charge Controller
Series-Parallel Connection Instructions:
- Create series strings of panels (2 panels per string for 24V, 4 for 48V)
- Connect all string positives together
- Connect all string negatives together
- Install a breaker for each string (rated at 1.56 × Isc = 8.6A)
- Install a main breaker on combined positive (rated at 1.25 × total current)
- Connect to charge controller
Series-Parallel Characteristics:
- Voltage per string: 36V (panels in series)
- Total current: 5.5A × number of strings (parallel)
- Common configuration for 24V/48V systems
- Balances voltage and current requirements