Good day Everyone

I currently have 2 x Fivestar 8kVA inverters is parallel connected to 2 strings of 5 x 550W JA Panels. I want to add panels but also want to try and keep them in series.

The question is, how many 550W panels can I connect to each inverter in series? Below are the specs for both inverters and panels. 

Layman's opinion, MUST be checked by a professional what your options are. With this combination of panel and inverter, you could go for up to 8 panels per series string. Any more and you'd risk exceeding the recommended max Open-Circuit Voltage, and most likely you'd be damaging the MPPT.

With this configuration you'd not be able to use up to the maxmimum 5500W PV input power that the inverter can accept, the 8 panels would just add up to 4400W per inverter. If that works for you, great. If not, I'd suggest to investigate the route of going parallel anyway, or else using a different panel with a lower Voc, but higher current for the second inverter.

Thanks GreenFields

I will take a look at the current amperage input to the inverters from the 5 panels. That will give me an indication of what the currents will be if I go parallel. I'll be fine as long as I play it safe at around 80A

1 hour ago, GreenFields said:

1 hour ago, GreenFields said:

you could go for up to 8 panels per series

 

Agreed. 8 will be on the safe side.
The 100A max PV charging current stated there I would take with a pinch of salt. It is the max charge AMPs to Battery from Solar.
Have yet to see any of these higher voltage Inverter with more than around ~18-25A max.
But that aside, their stated max PV input power is 5500W. That at 450VOC would give a theoretical max of 12 Amps, which would go up under load as the Voltage drops, so I would be carful to parallel these panels. Yes, the Inverter will clip excess Amps, but only within an unspecified tolerance
 

Edited February 5, 20251 yr by zsde