Can I use residential grid connect panels or 24V panels with my 12V system?

Yes, you can use residential grid connect panels (20V nominal) or 24V panels on a 12V system as long as they are connected to an MPPT solar controller. One of the key limitations of a PWM solar controller is that the nominal voltage of the connected solar panels needs to match the nominal voltage of the rest of the electrical system. This is not the case with an MPPT solar controller, which will only be limited by the input Voc of the unit.

When considering residential panels to your system, you should also keep in mind that MPPT solar controllers are usually more expensive than their PWM cousins. While you might save some money by purchasing used grid-connect panels, the added expense of a MPPT controller might make this less worthwhile.

For more information on solar panel voltages, click here.