How To Hook Up A Diode To A Solar Panel

How to install a blocking diode to any solar panel bypass diode diode uses blocking diode https amzn to 2lebm5t solar panel price https amzn to 2lhp.

How to hook up a diode to a solar panel. If your panels are made up of individual cells you ve soldered together and put in a housing or frame then you will need a diode. Now if one panel is shaded the current produced by the unshaded panel can flow through a by pass diode to avoid the high resistance of the shaded panel. The diode needs to have a voltage and amperage rating above that of the panel. Bypass diodes in solar panels photovoltaic arrays for example assume that the output of solar panel is connected to a dc battery.

If you have two 175 watt panels each at 42 volts you will need two 8 amp 45 volt diodes. As with most electronic devices you ll want to place the diode on the negative lead between the panel and the battery. By pass diodes will not be of use unless panels are connected in series to produce a higher voltage. For solar panels we recommend you put one blocking diode on each solar panel inside an abs project box.

Really it doesn t matter but the negative lead is the general rule of thumb. This is where by pass diodes come into play as shown in the diagram to the right. If you look below the panel to the left you can follow the red arrows from the panel down and make a right turn to the diode.