Solar Panels

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MVDestiny

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I'm looking into buying two 70Watt+ rigid solar panels. What are your up-to-date thoughts on the latest technologies. Is there much difference in quality when it coms to price? Who are the recommended suppliers?
 
I'm very happy with my Kyoceras, bought 'em from Midsummer Energy, Cambridge. Very friendly, knowlegeable guy, good prices too. I could be wrong but I think they're the only panels guarenteed for marine use(?).

No connection.....................
 
Sy-Revolution said:
I'm very happy with my Kyoceras, bought 'em from Midsummer Energy, Cambridge. Very friendly, knowlegeable guy, good prices too. I could be wrong but I think they're the only panels guarenteed for marine use(?).

No connection.....................
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Snap.....and snap! My Kyoceras have been mounted on a stern arch for two years, no corrosion or any other form of degradation. I also have a semi-flexible panel that is considerably older, looking in very poor condition.
 
I bought 2 x BP 65 watt rigid panels from Marlec. 20 year guarantee, as good as new after 3 years. The instructions certainly refer to marine use so no reason to suppose it is excluded from the guarantee!

Mounted on SS arch over the stern. I used Duralac on the mounting points, no signs of corrosion at all where aluminium meets SS (or anywhere else for that matter).

They were bought from Marlec who provided excellent after sales service too.
 
I've got a 130W Kyocera on the gantry and three semi-flexibles (135W total) on the fore-deck (non-slip, naturally!) The s/fs are replacements for older ones that had started to delaminate and the new Solaras seem a lot better. The Kyocera is a good bit of kit IMO.
 
Sy-Revolution said:
I'm very happy with my Kyoceras, bought 'em from Midsummer Energy, Cambridge. Very friendly, knowlegeable guy, good prices too. I could be wrong but I think they're the only panels guarenteed for marine use(?).

No connection.....................
Click to expand...

Kyoceras are not covered under warranty for marine use. Unless they have changed something very recently. (http://kyocerasolar.com/pdf/specsheets/kc_warranty.pdf or http://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatalog/KC_Warranty_PV_Modules.pdf - Warranty Exclusion 2h) That is for the KC range, there is a new KD range out now which could possibly have the exclusion removed, but I doubt it.

In rigid panels - Suntech panels are covered, so are Sunpower (SP's are 21.5% efficient, but require positive grounding to achieve it).
(http://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatalog/solar_pv_panels_uk.html)

Only rigid panels which have had the aluminium frames coated are suitable. I will add that in my opinion the Kyoceras are fine, as they have coated frames (on most models), I think Kyocera are just being cautious. One reason they may have the exclusion is they don't trust their panels in an environment subjected to viration.

In semi-flexi - have encountered delamination problems with Solara's and they cost a fortune. The only ones I trust are the unisolar semi-flexible modules. Unfortunately unisolar no longer make them, they are now made it China using license technology. There are other versions of semi-flexible modules, but they all suffer from not having a framework to keep the laminated layers contained. Unisolar are different, the cells are not covered in an epoxy type layer, but covered in a special tefzel coating (a derivative of teflon). I've had a US64 panel which had a fork-lift driven into it work just fine (although very dented). Another US21 which came flying off the top of a vehicle at 60 mph was repaired with simply adding a new junction box where it ripped off. They also perform superbly in low light conditions, are about as good as it gets with shading and are one of the better panels at poor angles. I soo wish they made unisolar modules still!
 
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