12V Vs. 24V Solar Panel (The Difference)

There are many choices when choosing solar panels; one is between 12-volt and 24-volt. So let's see what's best for your situation.

12V solar panels are ideal for smaller homes and buildings, while 24V panels are better for bigger installations. 

These are some of the key points I will be covering, along with other solar panel information:

• The process of converting solar energy into usable energy.
• Differences between 12V and 24V solar panels.
• How batteries are used to store energy.
• Proper compatibility.

The power you need will determine if a 12V or 24V solar panel is best for you. A variety of available solar panels can be overwhelming and create confusion, but knowing which one fits your needs is paramount before making any purchases.

24V solar panels can provide more power than 12V ones, but that doesn't mean they are better. Both excel in different scenarios and have advantages and disadvantages.

12V solar panels are more common because most home appliances operate with a 12V power system. That fact alone eliminates the need for 24V panels for some people. 

Bigger homes and commercial buildings that require heavy loads of energy would be better suited with 24V panels. 

Many important factors can affect the performance of both solar panels, so let's look into how solar panels work first.

The voltage of a solar panel determines how much power it produces and is usually located on the rear panel if you're not sure. 

1. Plenty of small photovoltaic solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity are linked together to form a solar panel. 12V panels contain 36 cells, while 24V ones have 72. 

2. Those photovoltaic cells absorb tiny particles of light from the sun called photons when sunlight comes in contact with the solar panel and turns them into direct current (DC).

3. Most homes use alternating current (AC) to power their homes, so inverters are usually required to convert the DC electricity into usable AC energy.

4. The AC electricity flows from the inverter to an external circuit that distributes the power within your home. Solar-generated electricity is now available for powering your light switches, fridge, televisions, and most home appliances. 

See also: Solar Panel Sizes and Wattage: A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Right Choice

12V solar panels are a popular, versatile choice for small off-grid homes, most of their appliances, and some vehicles. They can provide enough power for cabins, offices, street lights, phones, laptops, refrigerators, cars, boats, RVs, and more. 

Some people find 12V solar panels appropriate for their lifestyles, while others might find them quite limited. They are also cheaper to buy upfront than 24V panels, but 24V panels might save you more money in the long run. 

They are available in 10, 20, 40, 50, 125, 160, and 180 watts. 

Pros 

• Works with most batteries, devices, and home appliances
• A most common solar system with components widely available for repairs 
• Light and easy to transport
• Ideal for small buildings and DIY projects

Cons

• Lower voltage means it loses more heat
• Can only work with other 12V appliances

24V solar panels look similar to 12V panels but are bigger and contain twice as many solar cells, totaling 72 cells. They can still be installed in many places, despite their bigger sizes. 

They can produce much higher voltages that range between 1,500-2,000 watts. 

These powerful panels are ideal for bigger houses with higher energy needs and commercial buildings with large amounts of electricity flowing all day, like hospitals, hotels, and banks. 

Pros 

• More heat efficient and powerful
• Can supply power for appliances of different voltages, including 12V
• Saves you more money in the long run
• Voltage drop is low

Cons

• Expensive to pay upfront
• Harder to find replacement parts because they are not as common

As mentioned above, the biggest advantage to using a 24V panel is the amount of power you'll produce.

Not only will your system be more heat-efficient, but if you've got a bigger house that requires more energy, you will have a much easier time powering it with a 24V panel and battery than a 12V. 

This doesn't make a 24V system any better than a 12V one, but it does make it more powerful. Of course, the downside to needing that extra power is that 24V panels and batteries may not be as easy to find (and not as easy on the wallet). 

We've already covered the differences between these panels above and which may be appropriate for your lifestyle, but are there similarities between them?

As it turns out, yes, there are a couple of similarities you can count on, regardless of which system you buy: 

• Both systems can be cost-efficient, depending on how you plan to use them. 24V panels are cheaper for bigger installs, while 12V is much more budget-friendly for smaller setups. 
• They both produce varying levels of power that you can use to charge appliances in residential or commercial buildings.
• Each system has relatively low heat loss for its size and power.
• Both panels are fairly easy to transport and install, with most 12V panels being a little more lightweight than 24V panels. 
• Generally, voltages should match panels and batteries, and each panel type comes with a matching battery (such as 12V or 24V batteries).

Solar panels and batteries need similar ratings to work together. That means that 12V panels should be used with 12V batteries, and 24V panels should be used with 24V batteries. 

Unfortunately, 24V batteries are not widely available in the market, but you can get the same results by using two 12V batteries in a series connection.

The same battery compatibility rules should apply to inverters and charge controllers with 12V and 24 V solar panels. 

So a 12V solar panel should operate with a 12V battery, a 12V inverter, and a 12V charger. Same for 24V solar panels. 

Here are some common questions about 12V and 24V solar panels. 

Sources:

• https://news.energysage.com/should-i-install-a-solar-battery-now-or-add-it-later/#:~:text=A%20solar%20battery%20can%20help,to%20meet%20your%20needs%20(like
• https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work