Hey everyone! I'm working on a project where I plan to mount 6 solar panels (each 6V, 2W) around a circular buoy in the sea. I'm trying to figure out the best way to connect these panels since I understand that connecting them all in series isn't ideal due to their varying angles towards the sun throughout the day. I'm considering connecting them all in parallel, but I'm also exploring other configurations like 3 in series and 2 in parallel or vice versa. I'd really appreciate your insights on the best connection for these panels! Also, I'm planning to charge a li-ion battery, and I'm weighing options like 2s3p, 3s2p, or 6s1p battery setups. Thanks!
3 Answers
Awesome project you've got there! It makes sense to connect the panels in parallel because it allows for better performance when they’re not all getting equal sunlight. If you connect them all in parallel, you’ll keep the voltage around ~6V and the current will just add up. You could also consider a mixed setup like 2s3p or 3s2p; 2s3p would give you ~12V which is usually better for charging systems with buck regulators. Just remember, if you're going for 3s2p, you'll be looking at around 18V, which is nice if you're aiming for a higher input for your charge controller.
Just a thought, but with the 60-degree spacing, it seems like you might get decent light hitting pairs of panels throughout the day. If you're going two in series, the ones that are more in the sun should get you good output most of the time. I've also heard low-drop Schottky diodes can be useful to prevent backflow, especially for the dark panels. It might even be worth experimenting with the arrangement—maybe try spacing them out to 120 degrees for better exposure.
You're on the right track thinking about series versus parallel! A mixed configuration can be a great compromise between voltage and efficiency. Always good to simulate different sun positions and panel placements to see which setup gives you the best power output. If you go with a buck converter, definitely keep in mind to use a solar charge controller so you're protected!
Thanks for breaking that down! I was leaning toward 2s3p because I have both 2s and 3s battery options. However, I'm a bit unsure whether the outputs (12V or 18V) will be reliable, especially under less-than-perfect conditions. I'm considering using Texas Instruments buck converter ICs to get the charging voltages right, but do I need to think about adding any protection diodes to the setup?