How to Connect Solar Panel to Battery and Inverter
If you want to install solar panels in your home yourself, you should know how to connect the solar panels correctly so that you can set up a solar system in your home. The connection of the wires coming from the solar panels should be accurate to ensure that they work properly. If any connection is done incorrectly, your inverter or solar charge controller may get damaged.
In today’s post, we will tell you how you can connect solar panels with batteries or a solar inverter. There are two ways to connect solar panels to batteries. You can connect solar panels to batteries using a solar charge controller or with the help of a solar inverter.
Connections with a Solar Charge Controller:
First, let’s discuss how to connect solar panels to batteries using a solar charge controller. As you may know, there are two types of solar charge controllers available in the market: MPPT and PWM. You can use either type of solar charge controller, as the connections are similar for both.
Solar Charge Controller Connections
To begin with, let’s talk about how to connect solar panels using a solar charge controller. There are two types of solar charge controllers available in the market, and the connections are similar for both.
1. MPPT
2. PWM
You can use any type of solar charge controller, and the connections are the same for all. Below, you will see a diagram that will make it easier for you to understand how to make these connections.
As you can see in the diagram, we first connect the battery wires directly to the inverter and then connect two wires from the battery to the solar charge controller.
However, it’s crucial to pay special attention here. The positive wire from the battery should be connected to the positive terminal of the solar charge controller, and the negative wire should be connected to the negative terminal. This way, your solar charge controller will work correctly; otherwise, it may get damaged.
You also need to connect the wires coming from the solar panels to the solar charge controller. The positive wire from the solar panel should be connected to the positive terminal of the solar charge controller, and the negative wire should be connected to the negative terminal. Only then will your solar charge controller work correctly; otherwise, it may get damaged.
Connections with a Solar Inverter
Connecting solar panels with a solar inverter is straightforward. For this, you’ll find two terminals provided at the back of the solar inverter for attaching the wires coming from the solar panels.
Here, too, you need to pay attention to connecting the positive wire from the solar panel to the positive terminal of the solar inverter and the negative wire to the negative terminal. Only then will your solar inverter work correctly; otherwise, it may get damaged. A diagram for this connection is provided below.
As you can see in the diagram above, the solar inverter has two terminals at the back where you need to connect the wires coming from the solar panels. Make sure to connect the positive wire from the solar panel to the positive terminal of the solar inverter and the negative wire to the negative terminal. This way, your solar inverter will work correctly; otherwise, it may get damaged.
Additionally, you need to check whether your solar inverter supports your solar panel. Solar panels have a VOC (Voltage Open Circuit) rating, which is typically around 45V to 50V for 72-cell panels.
Check Solar Inverter VOC
Your solar inverter should support the VOC range of the solar panels you plan to use. For example, if you have a PWM technology solar inverter with a single battery, it should support a VOC of approximately 25V, allowing you to use solar panels with up to 36 cells connected in series.
If you have an MPPT technology solar inverter with a single battery, it should also support a VOC of around 45V, allowing you to use solar panels with up to 72 cells connected in series.
In the same way, if you have a PWM technology solar inverter with two batteries, it should support a VOC of around 45V to 50V. You can use solar panels with up to 72 cells connected in series with such an inverter. If you have an MPPT technology solar inverter with two batteries, it should support a VOC of around 90V, allowing you to use solar panels with up to 72 cells connected in series.
So, as you can see from this example, you now understand which solar panels are suitable for your inverter based on its technology and VOC rating.