This link gives some basic generic info about connecting multiple panels of different outputs and the pros-and-cons of series –vs- parallel connection. The link below is for series connection, but in the first paragraph is a link to parallel connections, so between them you should get a pretty good idea of where to go next. https://www.mpptsolar.com/en/solar-panels-in-series.html
There are several, quite long and informative, threads on the forum regarding the installation of various types of panel to our vans. Lots is covered from: Panel construction, cabling, connections, wiring, pop top type, mppt Vs pwm charge controllers, shunts, battery types and voltdrop, plus advice on what systems will be best for specific circumstances. I know for a fact that @pkrboo is currently doing some real life (way more helpful than trying to read theory) series Vs parallel experiments from a bank of victron panels into a lfp battery bank. All types of scenarios will be covered including shading and appropriate cable sizing. @mikedjames has series connections I believe, @iblaze has just reconfigured his new 330watt install from series to parallel and we've had 180w of parallel connected CIGS panels on our bus since 2014. It's easier to advise on specific requirements as reading theory can make your eyes go . Is there anything you need specific help with @Airheadboxer ? Do you have an installation on your van? Be good to see it if you do as we are always interested in what folk are doing that may assist.
Love a good solar thread, just upgraded the boat with a 55w tough panel, rather expensive but supposed to be able to cope with some shading. Stuck on with velcro. Its worked so well I have invested in another exactly the same which I shall be connecting in parallel.
Thanks for the reply theBusmonkey and the offer of support. The posting and url wasn’t intended to ignore or take anything away from the information already on the site. Sorry if it came across as that. You’ve pointed to several sources on the forum, which is great and what I’d hope would happen. I looked into solar panels a while ago, and decided not to. Well, apart from a 30w dashboard panel to keep the batteries trickle charged. The biggest problem I found with understanding solar panels was that so many people already understood the technology and terminology that it was difficult for me to get into, and also, the information was spread around on the site. I went to external web sites like the one above to get a basic understanding. Then I felt a bit more confident reading the threads here and coming to a decision. As for me, I’ve just had a water cooled T25 (please don’t hate me) but it developed an engine problem so I sold it with the problem declared. As a result I have decided to return to the only true religion – air cooled! Thanks again for your time.
A lot of the threads on here tend to go off topic lol...it's how we roll, and please don't think I was criticising your post. The opposite in fact, and precisely because the info gets diluted I thought I'd ask if you've got a specific query. Matt pkrboos experimenting with series last weekend was interesting in the way the higher volts push lower current through the system but we suspect overall yield will be the same over a period of time regardless, simply because vans systems are variably directionally unlike a static solar farm or house system. It's about striking the best compromise. I don't always want to park in the heat of the sun, facing the sun (especially on the continent in summer) and sometimes it's not practical on sites with trees and hedges. Therefore to avoid the shading issues that series wiring gives, we just stick with parallel because we have found even in partial shade we do get some input from the panels, which is better than none! It would be useful to have the direct s Vs p wiring figures under the same conditions of shading and sun tracking across a parked van... @pkrboo ... @mikedjames ?
