How to connect solar panels to the inverter?

When you have solar panels, your primary concern is to make the best use of them. As we all know, solar energy generated by the PV panels is better to not use directly but to go through the solar power inverter. So, it’s important to make the correct connection between solar panels and the solar inverter. This page will help you solve the question of how do I connect the solar panels to the inverter.

1. Which wiring connection is better?

As we know, the ways of solar panels connection are in series and in parallel. But which connection is better for solar panel systems? Let us make a comparison.

Feature	In Series	In Parallel
Advantages	Increasing voltages and the same current	Increasing currents and the same voltage
	A single wire to the grid	One of the panel broken and the rest panels work well
Disadvantages	One of the panel broken and all panels work failure	Multiple wires to the grid

With the way of connection in series, the most outstanding feature is that it can increase the voltages of the whole solar system and keep the same current, while no need bigger cable to the grid. But when one of the panels gets wrong, the solar panel system will collapse unless you fix it or update a panel.However solar panel wiring in parallel connection can keep the voltage contain and increase the current. And when one of the panels works badly, the solar panel system can still go properly function but just the power will go down. The disadvantage of parallel wiring is to need multiple wires when connecting into the grid.In fact, to balance voltage and amperage for your solar array to perform at the best, many electrical applications use solar panel wiring not just in series or in parallel, but a hybrid of both in series and in parallel connection. The number of series panels depends on the voltage of the load, and the number of parallel panels depends on the power of the load. But also need to meet the solar power inverter’s condition of normal operation at the same time.

2. Can I connect the solar panel directly to the inverter?

Yes, solar panels can be directly connected to the inverter instead of the charge controller. A proper and good quality solar power inverter is an essential part of your photovoltaic arrays. It’s an important bridge of solar panel connection to the battery and to the grid. The solar power inverter has four special functions:1) It can average the voltage fluctuations of the solar panels and output a steady charging voltage2) It can prevent battery overcharging and prevent backflow.3) It can convert the DC current from the solar panels into AC current to support domestic appliances and export to the grid.4) It has the function of monitoring the photovoltaic panels, the battery, the grid, and your loads with maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding protection.The solar system connection diagram is below.

3. How to connect the solar panel to the solar power inverter?

About the solar panel connection to inverter wiring steps, let me show you the luxpower hybrid inverter because the PV connection of luxpower hybrid inverter is the same as a traditional on-grid solar inverter(string inverter).

* When connected solar panels to the inverter, take notice that:

1) Before connecting the PV, please use the muti-meter to measure the PV array voltage to verify if the PV array is working normally, if not, please fix the PV array to normally working states before connection.

2) Inspect the PV+ and PV- output of the PV string, make sure the positive and negative poles of PV and inverter will be correctly connected.

3) When your PV panel’s ambient temperature could possibly be lower than 0°, then please check the PV array voltage up the ceiling, and if you are not sure please ask your system or panel provider for further assistance. As when the temperature is extremely low the PV panel voltage will increase by a certain percentage.

* Solar panel wiring steps:

Step 1: Turn off or disconnect the PV switch(DC switch). Then keep this switch always open during the connection.

Step 2: Assemble the PV connector1) Strip 6-8 mm insulation from the cable end.

2) Assemble the cable ends to crimp contacts.

3) Lead the cable through the cable gland, then insert it into the corresponding insulator until it snaps into place, then tighten the cable gland.

Step 3: Install the PV connector

When verified the PV connector is tight, align the 2 half connectors and mate them together by hands until ‘click’ is felt or heard.

If you want to know more about the inverter, please contact us at info@luxpowertek.com.