linking flexible solar panels

Got no idea why the 50W panel is rated at only 9 V, but if you haven't bought the panels yet, why not get some that have the same or similar specs ??

Do you need flexible panels to go on a roof ??

Save a lot of money if you go for rigid panels..

There are real issues concering hooking up dissimilar pannels.

Can I ask why you are consideting two different brands of pannel and not all the same brand and model.

Even if the pannels are different sizes but the same brand and type...you should have little problems hooking them all up in paralell.

mixing and matching is not advised as it can effect efficiency.


Maximum Power Point Tracking regulators do exactly that...the whole point is by black magic and switchmode electronics....present the optimum load to the pannel/s and the optimum output to the batterie/s.

If the characteristics of the mixed pannels do not match up....the reg cant find the optimum load for either panel.

all that said...if the pannels are close it may not effect the efficency too much at all.....but its a lottery.

cheers

Thanks Gronk and Bantam,
We have chosen the flexible panels for their low profile and minimal attachment points ie little or no drill holes that seem to go with the frames needed for the solid panels. We ended up with two different brands because of the shapes. The two 100 watt panels fit nicely on the roof space above the cab and the 50 watts are long and skinny to fit down the centre of the bus where the profile is flat. :)