Parallel Connection of Modules

Sometimes to increase the power of the solar PV system, instead of increasing the voltage
by connecting modules in series the current is increased by connecting modules in parallel.
The current in the parallel combination of the PV modules array is the sum of individual
currents of the modules.
The voltage in the parallel combination of the modules remains the same as that of the
individual voltage of the module considering that all the modules have identical voltage.
The parallel combination is achieved by connecting the positive terminal of one module to
the positive terminal of the next module and negative terminal to the negative terminal of
the next module as shown in the following figure. The following figure shows solar panels
connected in parallel configuration.

If the current IM1 is the maximum power point current of one module and IM2 is the maximum
power point current of other module then the total current of the parallel-connected module
will be IM1 + IM2. If we keep on adding modules in parallel the current keeps adding up. It is
also applicable for short-circuit current Isc.
Calculation of the Number of Modules Required in Parallel and their Total Power
To calculate the number of PV modules to be connected in parallel, the required current of
the PV array should be given. We will also see the total power generated by the PV array.
Note that all the modules are identical having the same module parameters.
Step 1: Note the current requirement of the PV array
Since we have to connect N-number of modules in parallel we must know the required
current from the PV array
 PV array short-circuit current ISCA
 PV array current at maximum power point IMA
Step 2: Note the parameters of PV module that is to be connected in parallel
PV module parameters like current and voltage at maximum power point and other
parameters like VOC, ISC, and PM should also be noted.
Step 3: Calculate the number of modules to be connected in parallel
To calculate the number of modules N the total array current is divided by the current of an
individual module, Since the PV module is supposed to be working under STC the ratio of
array current at maximum power point IMA to module current at maximum power point IM is
taken.
A similar calculation for short-circuit current of PV can also be done i.e. ratio of array
short-circuit current ISCA to module short-circuit current ISC.
Note that the value of N can be a non-integer so we have to take next higher integer and so
the value of IMA and ISCA will also increase than what we desired.
Step 4: Calculating the total power of the PV array
The total power of the PV array is the summation of the maximum power of the individual
modules connected in parallel. If PM is the maximum power of a single module and “N” is
the number of modules connected in parallel, then the total power of the PV array PMA is N
× PM. we can also calculate the array power by the product of PV array voltage and current
at maximum power point i.e. VMA × IMA.
Example:
Let’s take an example, calculate the number of modules required in parallel to obtain
maximum power point current IMA of 40 A. The system voltage requirement is 14 V. The
parameters of the single PV module are as follows;
 Open circuit voltage VOC = 18 V
 Voltage at maximum power point VM = 14 V
 Short circuit current ISC = 6.5 A
 Current at maximum power point IM = 6 A
Step 1: Note the current requirement of the PV array
 PV array short-circuit current ISCA = Not given
 PV array current at maximum power point IMA = 40 A
Step 2: Note the parameters of PV module that is to be connected in parallel
Open circuit voltage VOC = 18 V
Voltage at maximum power point VM = 14 V
Short circuit current ISC = 6.5 A
Current at maximum power point IM = 6 A
Maximum Power:
PM = VM x IM
PM = 14V x 6A
PM = 84 W
Step 3: Calculate the number of modules to be connected in parallel
N = IMA / IM
= 40 / 6
N = 6.66 (Higher integer value 7)
Take higher integer value 7 modules. Due to the higher integer value of N, the value of
IMA and ISCA will also increase.
IMA = IM × N
=6×7
IMA = 42 A
Step 4: Calculating the total power of the PV array
PMA = N × PM
= 7 × 84
PMA = 588 W
Thus, we need 7 PV modules to be connected in parallel having a total power of 588 W to obtain
the desired maximum PV array current of 40 A.

Series – Parallel Connection of Modules – Mixed Combination

When we need to generate large power in a range of Giga-watts for large PV system plants
we need to connect modules in series and parallel. In large PV plants first, the modules are
connected in series known as “PV module string” to obtain the required voltage level.
Then many such strings are connected in parallel to obtain the required current level for the
system. The following figures shows the connection of modules in series and parallel. To
simplify this, take a look at right in the following figure.

Module 1 and module 2 are connected in series let’s call it the string 1. The open-circuit
voltage of the string 1 V is added i.e.
OC1

V = V + V = 2V
OC1 OC OC OC

Whereas the short-circuit current of string 1 I is the same i.e.

SC1

I =I
SC1 SC
Similar to string 1, the modules 3 and 4 make up the string 2. The open-circuit
voltage of the string 2 V is added i.e.
OC2

V = V + V = 2V OC2 OC OC OC

Whereas the short-circuit current of string 2 I is the same i.e. SC2

I =I SC2 SC

Now string 1 and string 2 are connected in parallel, nowhere the voltage remains the same
but the current is added i.e. open-circuit voltage of the PV module array
V = V = V = 2V OCA OC1 OC2 OC

And Short circuit current of the PV module array

I = I + I = I + I = 2I
SCA SC1 SC2 SC SC SC

The same calculation is applicable for voltage and current at the maximum PowerPoint.
Calculation of the Number of Modules Required in Series – Parallel, and their
Total Power
Here for the calculation of the number of modules required in series and parallel, and power
we have assumed that all the modules have identical parameters. Note that;
 N = Number of modules in series
S

 N = Number of modules in parallel

P

Step 1: Note the current, voltage, and power requirement of the PV array
 PV array power P MA

 PV array voltage at maximum power point V MA

 PV array current at maximum power point I MA

Step 2: Note the PV module parameters

PV module parameters like current and voltage at maximum power point and other
parameters like V , I and P should also be noted.
OC SC, M

Step 3: Calculate the number of modules to be connected in series and parallel

To calculate the number of modules in series N the total array voltage is divided by the
s

voltage of an individual module, Since the PV module is supposed to be working under

STC the ratio of array voltage at maximum power point V to module voltage at maximum MA

power point V is taken.

M

Similarly, to calculate the number of modules in parallel N the total array current is divided p

by the current of an individual module, Since the PV module is supposed to be working

under STC the ratio of array current at maximum power point I to module current at MA

maximum power point I is taken.

M

Similar calculations for open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current can be

done. Note that the value of N and N can be a non-integer so we have to take
s P

next higher integer and so the value of I , I , V , and V will also increase
MA SCA MA OCA

than what we desired.

Step 4: Calculating the total power of the PV array
The total power of the PV array is the summation of the maximum power of the individual
modules connected in series and parallel.
If P is the maximum power of a single module, and N is the number of modules connected
M S

in series and N is the number of modules connected in parallel, then the total power of the
P

PV array
P =N ×N×P
MA P S M

We can also calculate the array power by the product of PV array voltage and current at
maximum power point i.e.
Example:
Now let’s take an example for the mix – combination. We have to determine the number of
modules required for a PV array having the following parameters;
 Array power P = 40 KW
MA

 Voltage at maximum power point of array V = 400 V MA

 Current at maximum power point of array I = 100 A MA

 The module for the design of the array has the following parameters;
 Voltage at maximum power point of module V = 70 V M

 Current at maximum power point of module I =17 A M

Step 1: Note the current, voltage, and power requirement of the PV array
 PV array power P = 40 KW
MA

 PV array voltage at maximum power point V = 400 V MA

 PV array current at maximum power point I = 100 A MA

Step 2: Note the PV module parameters

Voltage at maximum power point of module V = 70 V M

Current at maximum power point of module I = 17 A M

Maximum power P : M

Example:
Now let’s take an example for the mix – combination. We have to determine the number of
modules required for a PV array having the following parameters;
 Array power P = 40 KW
MA

 Voltage at maximum power point of array V = 400 V MA

 Current at maximum power point of array I = 100 A MA

 The module for the design of the array has the following parameters;
 Voltage at maximum power point of module V = 70 V M

 Current at maximum power point of module I =17 A M

Step 1: Note the current, voltage, and power requirement of the PV array
 PV array power P = 40 KW
MA

 PV array voltage at maximum power point V = 400 V MA

 PV array current at maximum power point I = 100 A MA

Step 2: Note the PV module parameters
Voltage at maximum power point of module V = 70 V M

Current at maximum power point of module I = 17 A M

Maximum power P : M

Step 3: Calculate the number of modules to be connected in series and parallel

N =V /V
S MA M

N = 400 / 70
S

N = 5.71 (Higher integer value 6)

S

Take higher integer value 6 modules. Due to the higher integer value of N , the S

value of V and V will also increase.

MA OCA

V =V ×N MA M S

= 70 × 6
V = 420 V
MA

Now,
N =I /I P MA M

N = 100 / 17
P

N = 5.88 (Higher integer value 6)

P

Take higher integer value 6 modules. Due to the higher integer value of N , the value of
P

I and I will also increase.

MA SCA

I =I ×N
MA M P

I = 17 × 6
MA

I = 102 A
MA

Step 4: Calculating the total power of the PV array

P =N ×N ×P
MA S P M

= 6 × 6 × 1190
P = 42840 W
MA

Thus, we need 36 PV modules. A string of six modules connected in series and six such
strings connected in parallel, having a total power of 42840 W to obtain the desired
maximum PV array current of 100 A and voltage of 400 V.
Note that due to higher integer value of 6 the maximum PV array current and voltage is 102
A and 420 V respectively.