Solar panels aurinco vs solbian + design ideas/feedback

[gregcope]

Hi All,

Thinking about panels for mounting on the Coachroof/Sprayhood on a Starlight 35. Usage is weekend for a 250W domestic bank, Instruments / LED lights and hopefully the fridge. Ideally something where we have a reasonable amount permanently mounted, to recharge during the week, and then augmented by some more when on board.

Few options I have so far.

1. One on each side that is mounted on the halyard/lines covers, which can take a long/thin panel - either a 25W Aurinco or 40/50W Solbian.

2. Just in front of the hatch garage (under the boom) which can take one square panel ~ 40W Aurinco or 40/50W Solbian.

3. 32W Flexible velcrow'ed in front of the hatch garage.

4. 32W Spectraflex Flexible velcrow'ed onto the Sprayhood. We often sail with this down for a better view.


- Flexible / Velcro'ed ones are cheapest to mount, but have junction box to deal with;
- Aruinco are lower output, they do have a noslip cover which may be better for standing on, as these could be stepped on;
- Solbian look nice, but cost from a minor fortune to a bigger one;
- Aruinco and Solbian both have cables that exit underneath which I like.
- Possible compromise is Arunico/Solbian down the coach roof sides, and a Flexible for the Sprayhood when it is up/we are onboard.

Thoughts?

Any other semi-flexible panels that come in thin/long and square versions along with cables that exit underneath so that the wiring can be hidden and do not cost a fortune??

http://www.marlec.co.uk/off-grid-products/solar-panels/spectraflex32/
http://www.aurinco.com/solar-electric_en.html
http://www.barden-ukshop.com/solbian-flexible-panels-377-c.asp

 

[LadyInBed]

I got my semi's from http://www.titan-energy.co.uk
Nice person to deal with, lives between Poole and Wareham.

 

[Trop Cher]

The panels on the links you've shown seem very expensive. Two years ago I bought two 20w semi-flexible panels from Nasa at about £110 each, this year I've bought another two 20w panels from a supplier on ebay for £60 each, again semi-flexible. The second pair I've fitted just in front of the hatch garage (under the boom), I felt that two smaller panels were better than one larger one to help reduce the problems from shading.

 

[[3889]]

I got my semi's from http://www.titan-energy.co.uk
Nice person to deal with, lives between Poole and Wareham.

Also had 3 panels from them - trading as Penny Greenfingers on eBay. Output is fine but cable connection is a bit iffy if subject to modest strain; not a difficult issue to solve if anticipated. Good value & service from supplier though I notice the 100W panel I paid £140 for is now £180 - seems to be a general trend, possibly the time of year and high demand?

 

[LadyInBed]

Also had 3 panels from them - trading as Penny Greenfingers on eBay. Output is fine but cable connection is a bit iffy if subject to modest strain; not a difficult issue to solve if anticipated. Good value & service from supplier though I notice the 100W panel I paid £140 for is now £180 - seems to be a general trend, possibly the time of year and high demand?

One of the reasons I went to see them, I was going to get two 100's but when I saw the physical size I decided that they would be too unwieldy, so bought 80's. They didn't save me much money!

 

[gregcope]

Thanks all.

One issues with these is that the cable exit. I much prefer the cables exiting underneath and having a flush panel.

However cost could be an issue with that...