YES -- solar panels can be wired in parallel. They'd have to connect
together when they get to your controller, anyway, so no reason not to
connect them together out where they are.

I don't know of any good sub-$100 solar controllers, maybe someone else
does? Here's one place to look:
http://store.altenergystore.com/Charge-Controllers/Solar-Charge-Controllers/Pwm-Type-Solar-Charge-Contollers/c477/
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

On 3/7/2008 4:02 PM Jeffrey Vickers wrote:

> I'm getting two 53 watt panels for my Syncro Westy and I'm wondering
> if they can be wired in parallel so that I only need one set of leads
> running back to the van from the panels.
>
> Also---can anyone recommend a good PVM solar charge controller that's
> under $100 bucks?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jeff / San Anselmo
>