Configuration of 5 panels to achieve the best performance (beginner question)

Q&A and troubleshooting
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1

Hello,

I am restructuring an old installation to set up a MPPT 100/30 and I have 5 Victron Energy 130 W panels:

  • Voc= 21.75V
  • Isc= 8.10A
  • Vpmax= 17.41V
  • Ipmax= 7.47A

If I connect all 5 panels in series, I get a high voltage and a low current. Would I fully take advantage of the MPPT performance, or would there be disadvantages?

If I connect 4 panels in a combination of series and parallel, I would have to leave 1 panel disconnected as a spare.

What would be the best configuration to achieve the highest performance?

Thank you for your help.

2

With 5x 21V panels in series you will destroy your MPPT.

Use MPPT Calculator - Victron Energy

2 Likes
3

You cannot do 5 panels in series with the 100/30, you would have to upgrade to a 150V MPPT.

The best you can do is 4 panels in series, which will give total Voc = 87.00 V, Vmpp = 69.64 V.
If you are in an extremely cold climate, you might be getting close to the 100V limit.
There is no reason to do series/parallel 2s2p.
Use the calculator linked above by BjoernK to be sure.