Solar panel wiring fun!

First off I guess I should admit that this is an experiment, and this was set up to run as either a 24 or 48 volt system. Therefore the panels on the roof are wired in pairs (24 volts.) As I'm currently running in 48 volt mode, I have to use two sets (of two) panels, that's where the patch panel upper right comes in. You might have notice that the wires going into the patch panel (and the wires going into the right sides of the + & - panels) have colored zip-ties on them, they help me keep track of which wires make a pair of panels.

The + sides each run through a diode to prevent a lower powered panel from sucking the power of a higher one (as they get shaded or dirty - or a bird is walking/sitting on one.)

The - side runs through one of the meters (powered by the solar panels themselves!), then through a breaker before being combined. A better meter pic will be coming ...