# Series or parallel

**URL:** <https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187>\
**Category:** DIY\
**Tags:** parallel, beginner\
**Created:** [17 April 2025 18:33 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187 "2025-04-17T18:33:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mattflager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mattflager](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mattflager)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:33 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/1 "2025-04-17T18:33:27Z")

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This has probably been asked a bunch of times but can’t find it. I have three 12v 100w panels hooked in parallel. I have a 12v battery system. I bought the MPPT 100/50 controller. It says it is not charging because the panels need to be 5 volts higher. So this means I need to connect them in series?

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**Author:** ![mattflager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mattflager](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mattflager)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:43 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/3 "2025-04-17T18:43:01Z")

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When I looked up the specs, it says open circuit voltage is 22.79. When I open the victron app and look at what the charger is reading, it says 14.00

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**Author:** ![mattflager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mattflager](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mattflager)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:44 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/4 "2025-04-17T18:44:07Z")

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It’s partly cloudy and they’re pretty dirty. That might make a difference.

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**Author:** ![Skipper](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/skipper/32/12055_2.png) [@Skipper](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Skipper)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:45 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/5 "2025-04-17T18:45:47Z")

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You probably get a better all day performance out of them hooking them up in series. In case it’s cloudy they still get above the battery +5V more easily. Can you simply rewire them?

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**Author:** ![mattflager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mattflager](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mattflager)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:46 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/6 "2025-04-17T18:46:41Z")

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I should be able to pretty easy. Just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t mess anything up by doing that.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mattflager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mattflager](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mattflager)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:47 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/7 "2025-04-17T18:47:41Z")

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Thanks

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skipper](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/skipper/32/12055_2.png) [@Skipper](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Skipper)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2025 18:49 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/series-or-parallel/29187/8 "2025-04-17T18:49:57Z")

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Your charger can handle a maximum of 100V. With 3 in series you’ll get around 69V. It rises if it gets colder. But unless they’re being used in extreme cold conditions, you should not be able to reach 100V. So yes, you’re fine to connect them in series.