Solar panel Suppliers?

[Graham376]

Seem to be plenty of threads about solar but mainly controllers or flexible panels. I'm looking at replacing our rigid (4 x 43w) Kyocera panels on the arch with 2 x larger output ones. Any recommended suppliers or, ones to avoid? Found rigid mono 150w 1315 x 665 x 35mm which are about the physical size I'm after @ £130 each - is price about right?

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I've been happy with the customer service from Photonic Universe.

 

[Richard10002]

Seem to be plenty of threads about solar but mainly controllers or flexible panels. I'm looking at replacing our rigid (4 x 43w) Kyocera panels on the arch with 2 x larger output ones. Any recommended suppliers or, ones to avoid? Found rigid mono 150w 1315 x 665 x 35mm which are about the physical size I'm after @ £130 each - is price about right?

Bimble

 

[npf1]

I've been happy with the customer service from Photonic Universe.

+1

 

[Richard10002]

Seem to be plenty of threads about solar but mainly controllers or flexible panels. I'm looking at replacing our rigid (4 x 43w) Kyocera panels on the arch with 2 x larger output ones. Any recommended suppliers or, ones to avoid? Found rigid mono 150w 1315 x 665 x 35mm which are about the physical size I'm after @ £130 each - is price about right?

Its cheaper than Photonic Universe, (£200), so looks OK

 

[Heckler]

Seem to be plenty of threads about solar but mainly controllers or flexible panels. I'm looking at replacing our rigid (4 x 43w) Kyocera panels on the arch with 2 x larger output ones. Any recommended suppliers or, ones to avoid? Found rigid mono 150w 1315 x 665 x 35mm which are about the physical size I'm after @ £130 each - is price about right?

http://www.nauticayamar.com/solar-panels-light-and-regulators/solar-panel.html
Not too far to go.
Mine are still working ok 3 years later

 

[Graham376]

http://www.nauticayamar.com/solar-panels-light-and-regulators/solar-panel.html
Not too far to go.
Mine are still working ok 3 years later

Thanks for the replies.

Stu, I had a look at pirate John (Ayamar) a while ago. Didn't have size I want and expensive.

Photonic Universe have good reputation but expensive and Bimble don't have size I want. As Richard says, ebay ones look good value, just unknown quality.

 

[William_H]

Seem to be plenty of threads about solar but mainly controllers or flexible panels. I'm looking at replacing our rigid (4 x 43w) Kyocera panels on the arch with 2 x larger output ones. Any recommended suppliers or, ones to avoid? Found rigid mono 150w 1315 x 665 x 35mm which are about the physical size I'm after @ £130 each - is price about right?

Just make sure the panel is for 12v system ie 20v max volts if you ar eusing a PWM controller. Many this size are for domestic PV and have a max voltage of 40v which woulkd be oK but needs a MPPT controller. ol'will

 

[Graham376]

Just make sure the panel is for 12v system ie 20v max volts if you ar eusing a PWM controller. Many this size are for domestic PV and have a max voltage of 40v which woulkd be oK but needs a MPPT controller. ol'will

Thanks but I already use Victron Smartsolar mppt 75/15. Will have to uprate it though for 300w.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks for the replies.

Stu, I had a look at pirate John (Ayamar) a while ago. Didn't have size I want and expensive.

Photonic Universe have good reputation but expensive and Bimble don't have size I want. As Richard says, ebay ones look good value, just unknown quality.

When I was last looking, photonic had regular sales at approx 50% of their usual price. Maybe worth contacting them and asking for a reduced price?

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I got mine from Midsummer Energy.
Happy with the price and customer service so will use them again.
No connection.

 

[Graham376]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I've decided to go for 2 x Photonicuniverse 160w panels which should fit the existing gantry without mods. https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...ble-for-camper-caravan-motorhome-or-boat.html

I hadn't realised how much prices/watt had dropped over the years 320w now for £310 (there are cheaper on ebay) whereas my 172w (4 x 43w) Kyocera cost €1,000 10 years ago. Will have to see if my Victron 75/15 will cope with theoretical 17amps from new panels.

 

[GHA]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I've decided to go for 2 x Photonicuniverse 160w panels which should fit the existing gantry without mods. https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...ble-for-camper-caravan-motorhome-or-boat.html

I hadn't realised how much prices/watt had dropped over the years 320w now for £310 (there are cheaper on ebay) whereas my 172w (4 x 43w) Kyocera cost €1,000 10 years ago. Will have to see if my Victron 75/15 will cope with theoretical 17amps from new panels.

The 75/15 can cope with higher amps coming in than 15A but will only output a max 15A. Manual says Max. PV short circuit current 20A so you should be OK.

 

[macd]

The 75/15 can cope with higher amps coming in than 15A but will only output a max 15A. Manual says Max. PV short circuit current 20A so you should be OK.

15A from the controller (presumably at a nominal 12V) might prove rather wasteful when the sun's at its strongest. We have 340W (4 x 85W panels) in the Med which regularly pump out 25A if the batteries can take it.