Hello, I am pretty new to considering solar electric.
I want to put together a small system for experimentation and to power a couple of lights for a remote cabin. I sort have decided on the initial power range: 1 50W - 80W 16V - 18V panel. The question I have is if I come back in a year or two and want to add other panels to the system and I can't find the mode/manufacturer that I originally installed. Can I add other manufacturer's panels if they are either close in voltage for a parallel install or close in current for a series install? Does this question make sense? Thanks in advance for your answers.

Yes you can as long as it is in parallel & have the same # of cells in the panels