The short answer
In series, panel voltages add and current stays the same; in parallel, currents add and voltage stays the same. A power station accepts only a stated range of voltage and current, so the maker's solar-input limits — not the total panel watts — decide what you may connect.
The idea
| Connection | Voltage | Current | Example: two panels, each 22 V and 6 A |
|---|---|---|---|
| One panel | Panel's own | Panel's own | 22 V, 6 A |
| Series | Adds | Same as one | 44 V, 6 A |
| Parallel | Same as one | Adds | 22 V, 12 A |
Wattstanding calculationWatts = volts × amps. Series and parallel give the same watts on paper (264 W here); the difference is which limit of the station you approach: input voltage or input current.
Practical notePanel voltage rises in cold weather. Makers specify a maximum input voltage; stay well under it using each panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc), which our panel pages list where the maker publishes it.
What to check
- The station's maximum solar input in watts, volts and amps.
- Each panel's Voc and Isc (short-circuit current).
- The connector type; adapters may be needed.
- The maker's own guidance on connecting more than one panel — some units accept several panels only in a stated arrangement.
This page explains the concept only and gives no wiring instructions. Follow the maker's manual. Compare panels and use the solar recharge calculator for energy per day.
Figures marked as Wattstanding calculations show their working; product figures come from the sources on each product page. How we work