Solar Energy Systems wiring diagram examples

Three pictures below for examples of typical wiring layouts and various components of solar energy systems in 3 common sizes: 2 KiloWatts, 4 KiloWatts, and 8 KiloWatts. These system sizes are based on 100 watt solar panels and 5 hours of average daily sunshine.

An 80 watt panel at 12 volts will produce about 5.5 amps under strong sunlight. If you have 5 hours of sun times 5.5 amps you will get 27.5 AmpHours per day. Using the example of 6 solar panels, that becomes 6 times 27.5 or 165 AmpHours per day.

Ok, you ask, how is all of this useful? Well, when calculating system size for both the number of solar panels and the number of batteries needed it is customary to use WattHours. However, in practice, when your system is operating, your meters/monitors will give you AmpHour information. For example, if your charge controller is showing that by midday you have already received 85 AmpHours of energy and the only thing running is your refrigerator (using 40 AmpHours per day), then you can quickly see that you are gaining and your batteries are charging not discharging. This is immediately obvious without having to convert everything to watts and WattHours.

These diagram examples could represent 12, 24, or 48 volts systems. The basic wiring configuration would be the same for any voltage system. These diagrams are meant to give a general idea of typical system wiring. Certain grounding and fusing circuits have been omitted from the wiring diagrams for clarity.

2 KW system

4KW system

8KW system

DISCLAIMER : Alway make sure that all of your equipment is properly fused and grounded for safety. Also, be sure to read and follow the advice and instructions that come with your equipment. These example diagrams, while reasonably accurate, are not meant as a substitute for the recommendations of a licensed electrician. These examples are a guide only and are meant to demonstrate how typical system components are connected together.