Blocking diodes for paralle PV setup

Where do people source these? Or are they not a requirement of modern panels?

T.I.A.

Reply to
terryc
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Terry, it depends........

If the panels are simply in parallel, then no individual diodes are needed, although one diode may be needed in series to prevent night-time disharge (but the regulator normally provides this function).

If the panels are in series, then a bypass diode may be needed if there is risk of shading individual panels.

Whatever, a standard Schottky diode (with sufficient current rating) is normally specified.

regards ............ Zim

Reply to
Graeme Zimmer

umm, if they need one for night time discharge, then they will each need one to prevent themsucking from higher ooutput panels,

That is the tricky part.

Reply to
terryc

What trick?

The solar panels already have a maximum current rating - get a diode with a bigger current rating than that. The panel also has a maximum voltage rating make sure the diode reverse voltage specification is bigger than that.

Reply to
David Eather

True, but the leakage current is fairly small, so while the total leakage for all of the panels may be significant, for an individual panel, probably not. And it would only happen if a panel was totally shaded (eg completely black).

It has long been debated whether the forward power loss of a Schottky is less than the leakage lost overnight.

Better is the active FET switching in the modern regulator.

.................. Zim

Reply to
Graeme Zimmer

Who sells them in that size?

Reply to
terryc

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