I have 8 solar panels rated at 100W each that I use in my RV, all wired in parallel to deliver 12V to my Victron 100/50 MPPT controller. I'm curious if I should consider reconfiguring to 24V or 48V setups instead. Although I'm not having any issues at the moment, I'm looking for ways to improve efficiency. Any advice?
1 Answer
If you're using 12V batteries, sticking with a 2s4p configuration could help you charge a bit earlier and stay on longer, but keep in mind that shading one panel in a pair can really cut down your output. On the road with an RV, you can’t always predict shade, so it’s tricky to optimize. Next time you buy, aim for high-voltage panels—they're way more efficient than those older 12V models!
That’s exactly why I started with 12V—I was worried about shading in different locations. I actually grabbed some Renogy panels when they were on sale, so I guess I'm a bit behind the times!