Is DIY Off-Grid Advisor free to use?

Yes. The Scout plan is completely free — no credit card required. You can create builds, run the load calculator, use all the standalone tools, and join the community at no cost.

What off-grid systems does it support?

DIY Off-Grid Advisor supports vans, caravans, RVs, 4WDs, boats, cabins, sheds, and remote properties. It handles 12V, 24V, and 48V systems.

How does the Component Wizard work?

You enter your loads (appliances and usage hours), your location (for real sun hours), and your system type. The wizard then recommends the right battery bank, solar panels, MPPT controller, inverter, and DC-DC charger — all sized for your exact setup. It also generates a wiring diagram and PDF report.

Do I need electrical experience to use it?

No. The platform includes a full beginner-friendly knowledge base — Electrical 101, How-To guides, Troubleshooting, and a Glossary — so you can learn as you build. The tools are designed to guide you step by step.

DIY Off-Grid Advisor

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Size My System

How to use this page

Panel Compatibility Checker

Check if two panels can be wired together — series or parallel

Check whether two solar panels can be wired together in series or parallel. The tool analyses voltage and current specs to flag mismatches, calculate net output, and recommend the best configuration.

How to use it

Set system voltage & MPPT limit

Choose your battery system voltage (12V or 24V) and your MPPT controller's maximum input voltage. This is critical for series wiring safety.

Select Panel A

Pick a preset panel from the dropdown or choose 'Custom' to enter specs from your panel's datasheet (Voc, Vmp, Isc, Imp, watts).

Select Panel B

Select the second panel you want to wire with Panel A. Set the quantity for each panel.

Read the results

The tool analyses both parallel and series connections, showing net output, mismatch losses, and a compatibility score out of 100.

Check the recommendation

The banner at the top tells you which connection works best — or if the panels are fundamentally incompatible and need separate MPPT controllers.

Tips & things to know

Never exceed your MPPT's max Voc in series — Voc rises in cold weather. Always leave 10–15% headroom.

A score of 75+ means the panels work well together. Below 50 means significant power loss from mismatch.

If panels are incompatible, two separate MPPT controllers (one per panel type) is the cleanest solution.

Parallel wiring is more forgiving of voltage mismatch. Series wiring is more sensitive to current mismatch.

DIY Off-Grid Advisor

HomeToolsPanel Compatibility Checker

Panel Compatibility Checker

Check if two solar panels can be wired together in series or parallel. We'll flag VOC limits, current mismatches, and suggest the best configuration.

System Settings

System voltage

MPPT max input voltage (Voc limit)

Panel A

Panel model

Quantity

Panel B

Panel model

Quantity

Select both panels above to see the compatibility analysis

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Press Cmd+/ or click here to ask Watt about your build, wiring, sizing, or troubleshooting.