Our neighbor lays 3 x 10mm2 for his system. But it is also somewhat larger.
that depends on the wiring:
the respective extreme configurations are:
- all panels in parallel: then the maximum possible current flows,
a rule of thumb is max 10A/m² conductor cross-section
- all panels in series (only 1 string):
here the current is minimal and the voltage max
both rarely occur in pure form.
Common is the parallel connection of several strings (series connection), each requiring one cable to the junction box.
The configuration depends on what the subsequent on-grid inverter can/cannot handle or requires.
16 panels can thus be wired as 2 8-string 2p8s or 4 4-string 4p4s
(even 8 2-string 8p2s would be possible)
Reverse protection diodes should definitely be clamped on the panels.
Otherwise the entire output of a string fails if only one solar cell
(e.g. shaded by stuck-on leaves) is shaded.