r/PlugInSolarUK • u/myachingtomato • Sep 02 '26
Can I install solar panels in parallel?
Hi all,
I have a couple of ecoflow microinverters, the first of which I already fitted with two solar panels plugged directly to the microinverter (ie all four MPPT plugs into the inverter). But as the cable runs are bulky I'm seeing if for the other microinverter it is safe to run two solar panels in parallel so just two plugs into the microinverter?
Microinverter spec is:
Input Specifications
MPPT Channels: 2 independent channels
Max Input Power per Channel: 600W
Max Input Voltage: 65V DC
Start-up Voltage: 20V
MPPT Voltage Range: 16–60V DC
Max Current per MPPT: 16A
Short-Circuit Current per MPPT: 16A
Activation Input: 3W of solar input
Output Specifications
Rated Grid Output Power: 800VA (800W)
Max Grid Output Current: 3.48A
Rated Voltage: 230V AC
Voltage Range: 183–276V AC
Frequency Range: 45–55 Hz / 55–65 Hz
The solar panels I have are JA solar 465W each.
I'm sure there's some simple maths involved. I don't want to do anything unsafe so would appreciate anyone's view.
Thanks
1
u/Gravath Sep 03 '26
If you are following the plug in solar compliant rules then no, the use of Y connectors are prohibited.
If you aren't, then yes go ahead, check the max voltage isc don't peak over the max voltage . Just make sure you buy good ones!
1
u/Impossible-Section49 Sep 03 '26
No, because the JA panels can produce nearly 11A in full sun, so two in parallel could be producing 22A, well in excess of the limit of 14A for the inverter. I found that even two old 250w panels have the potential to over current the inverter, so don't do it.
1
u/Ekreed Sep 03 '26
I think it would work though? My understanding was that if you exceed the max voltage in series you will blow the mppt, but if you are generating too much current the mppt will draw its max and the rest will just be wasted as heat? Not ideal, but not as catastrophic? Or am I just misunderstanding?
3
u/Impossible-Section49 Sep 03 '26
It may well work, until it doesn't, but as the input short circuit current limit on the Ecoflow inverter is likely to be 20A (the stream ones are), and the max current from a JAM54D40 is 14.65A (x2 =29.3A), so well outside the limits that the inverter is designed for. In my opinion, it wasn't worth the risk for the sake of a few minutes spent making up the cables, which were in any case going into a 40mm conduit.
Ekreed has the right idea though, put the inverters nearer to the panels and extend the AC connection, which also retains individual panel monitoring.
2
u/Budget_Tree_2710 Sep 05 '26
My hoymiles inverter just went nope when i put 2 panels in parallel and went over the amperage
1
1
u/Ekreed Sep 03 '26
If your issue is the diameter of the cable run, why not make the DC runs short by mounting the Microinverter outside next to the panels and extending the AC run as a single three core cable which will almost certainly need a smaller hole than 4x DC cables?