Solar Panels... again

Semi flexible panels will bend a small amount to conform to a coachroof but they are mounted on a sheet of stainless steel. Their flexibility is quite limited, so they will not bend to conform to most bimini frames. If you overdo the bending you will destroy it. I see the one you are looking at is described as light but weighs 2.8 kg. this is not a lot screwed to the deck but could be quite a missile flying off a bimini.
 
Grrr... yes I kind of agree.. i don't want a permanent arch as they look ridiculous IMO a bimini is bad enough, I think my bimini would need strengthening for the extra weight and then in a gale I like to take the bimini cover off anyway so a solar panel is just going to be in the way. Only other option is the deck which means it / they'll be shaded some of the day... :(
 
Slow_boat said:
Is 5 amp per hour not a bit low for a 100W panel?
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The power rating is the maximum power which will be delivered but it will be at the volts shown in the tech tech spec as the maximum power voltage

In this case it will deliver 5.28 amps at 18.97 volts

5.28 x 18.97 = 100 watts
 
The Vmp and Voc are about 1v higher than a typical 36 cell panel. So the Imp is just a fraction lower than average for a 100w panel at 5.28A. Typical Kyocera 100w panel would be about 5.59A. If you use a MPPT regulator it will not make any difference.
Without an MPPT regulator the difference will only be tiny.
 
I bought one of these panels in January. Depending on the size of your bimini (and position of the support struts), I don't see why you can't lie it over the top and secure with cord or shock cord.
Be careful of the corners on your canvas, they are very sharp (I've epoxied Lidl child furniture corner protectors onto mine - I would radius the panel corners with a file but that might invalidate the warranty).
I'm planning to hang mine outside the dodger on the sunny side of the boat.
 
Fosdyke Wash said:
I bought one of these panels in January. Depending on the size of your bimini (and position of the support struts), I don't see why you can't lie it over the top and secure with cord or shock cord.
Be careful of the corners on your canvas, they are very sharp (I've epoxied Lidl child furniture corner protectors onto mine - I would radius the panel corners with a file but that might invalidate the warranty).
I'm planning to hang mine outside the dodger on the sunny side of the boat.
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Thanks for the replies, im edging towards mounting them on the bimini again, after spending the evening pondering where else i could mount them. Fosdyke Wash did you buy the 100W panel?

Thanks again

Michael
 
Once I'm one with the installation, I will have 2x 100w rigid panels mounted on the pushpit and one of these flexible panels mounted on the bimini/backstays. I haven't quite decided how to mount it, will wait to see how it best fits!
 
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