What is the difference between connecting panels in series and parallel?
There are two ways of connecting solar panels together: series and parallel. When you connect solar panels in series, the positive cable from one panel is connected to the negative cable of another. The voltage of the two panels combined is the sum of the voltage from each panel, whereas the current is not affected. When you connect solar panels in parallel, the positive cable from one panel is connected to the positive cable of another, and the negative cable is attached to the negative (you will need a couple of double-adapters, as the cable ends are keyed to only connect positive to negative). The two panels together can deliver the sum of the currents of each, though the voltage remains unaffected. Thus, to increase the voltage of a solar array, you connect panels in series. To increase the current, you connect panels in parallel. Doing either increases the power delivered by the array, since power=voltage x current. The voltage that a solar array is allowed to deliver is limited b
