In short, what is the effect on output if you have half of a solar system array facing south and the other half facing west? Each half would be a series string of four panels, then those two strings would be paralleled and connected to a single charge controller.
I know for a voltage source (say batteries or power supplies) the lower-voltage one is going to do no work (or worse, rob from the higher) until it equals the output of the other. But I don't remember how two current sources (such as solar panels) react when in parallel...!
Reason I ask, I've been bitten by the upgrade bug and bought four more panels for my system. I have the room to mount the next set right below the first on the south face of the roof, but wondered about putting it on the west face of my roof instead for a couple of reasons.
First, I was surprised to find when playing with the PVWatts calculator that while I get more wintertime power from a south facing array, I actually get more power overall (thanks to summertime production) from a west-facing array! (So they say, anyway...)
And second, I'm not looking forward to crawling into the attic area where the south face is at to install the braces for the racks. It's going to be cramped and very dusty - if I could get away with staying in the much roomier area under the west face, I'd be happy! :-)
(If this double-posts, I'm sorry! The forum is really giving me fits today...)
Thanks,
Joe