Solar Panels: Wire Gauge Between Panel & Charge Controller?

Find out which wire gauge is best between your solar panel and the charge controller in your solar power system.

Solar Panels: Wire Gauge Between Panel & Charge Controller? Jeremy Bezanger / Unsplash

Last Updated: April 30, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

Wire Gauge for Solar Panel to Charge Controller

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Below is a table showing which wire gauge you should get based on the length of wire going from your solar panels to the charge controller.

For example, if you have less than 25 feet of wire going from your solar panels to the charge controller, then you'll want 10 gauge wire. If your wire is longer than 25 feet, then you'll want to use 8 gauge wire.

Wire Size - Panels to Controller
Wire Gauge Wire Length Wire Type
10 AWG < 25ft Solar specific with UV resistance
8 gauge
25 ft
 Solar specific with UV resistance

To help buy new solar equipment, check out the Recommended Solar Equipment section below.

Learn more about setting up a solar panel system in my Simple Solar Panel System - Setup & Equipment Guide.

Answers to Your Other Solar Panel System Questions

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Be sure to check out the articles in our solar panel series to help answer your other questions:

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Here's our list of recommended equipment for the most common solar power systems.

Solar Power System Cables

100W Solar Panel

Solar panels are made of many solar cells (photovoltaic cells), most often made from crystalline silicon. These cells take in energy from the sun's rays, converted through the semiconductor, creating an electric field that transfers voltage and current. Solar panels connect to the charge controller to regulate the voltage and current produced by the panel.

Charge Controllers

Charge controllers are used to regulate the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to prevent overcharging your battery.

Batteries

Batteries are used for storing the energy produced by your solar panels. The battery is wired between your power inverter and the charge controller. Never connect your power inverter and the charge controller directly without a battery between the two.

Power Inverters

Power inverters are used for converting the battery's power (DC - direct current) into electricity used for powering your devices (AC - alternating current). Power inverters have an outlet on the device.

Fuses

Fuses protect the wiring and devices from overcurrent. Fuses usually go on the closest point of the positive connection from your battery to the power inverter. You can also put fuses elsewhere in your system for protection, like an MC4 fuse for going between your solar panel and charge controller. You can find MC4 Fuses on Amazon .

Branch Connectors

Branch connectors are for merging the cables coming from multiple solar panels to your charge controller.