Bluesbreaker
Active Member
Im looking to replace 2x200w solar panels any recommendations about current reliable panels to buy
would be gratefully appreciated.
TIA.
would be gratefully appreciated.
TIA.
Solar Panels
- Thread starter Bluesbreaker
- Start date
potentillaCO32
Well-Known Member
I use these.
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Actually i only have the 60w version.
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Actually i only have the 60w version.
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
I might have been unusually lucky but I always just buy the cheapest rigid panels I can find, and they've always produced at least their rated output. So I don't think it really matters.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
For our new Narrowboat I purchased two flexible panels from Amazon, sized so the go handraiL to handrail across the roof. All fitted and connected Wednesday, supplying exactly what they said they would through the Victron MPPT.
I know they will not be as efficient as rigid panels, but they follow the curve of the roof perfectly and will not spoil the lovely lines.
2 X Monocrystaline Flex 200W panels were held to the 5mm steel roof with 6 x 5mm security screws with 12 x 3mm butyl tape sealing the edges. They cost £190, the Victron 30 amp MPPT £91. Cable, connectors, fuse, isolating switch, cable clamps, butyl tape, washers and screws another £55.
Well pleased so far with the quality and performance.
The quality may, of course, be re-visited should they give trouble..............................
I know they will not be as efficient as rigid panels, but they follow the curve of the roof perfectly and will not spoil the lovely lines.
2 X Monocrystaline Flex 200W panels were held to the 5mm steel roof with 6 x 5mm security screws with 12 x 3mm butyl tape sealing the edges. They cost £190, the Victron 30 amp MPPT £91. Cable, connectors, fuse, isolating switch, cable clamps, butyl tape, washers and screws another £55.
Well pleased so far with the quality and performance.
The quality may, of course, be re-visited should they give trouble..............................
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William_H
Well-Known Member
The cheapest option is Chinese panels (or German) imported and used for domestic PV systems. They are rigid and physically fairly large about 1.8 by 1 metre. (a guess) and 40v no load. (so need a MPPT controller for 12v.)
They are cheap because of the enormous demand. I would guess at something like 6 million fitted in Australia alone. Plus of course the latest most efficient design like 350 w per panel. Perhaps one would do. ol'will
They are cheap because of the enormous demand. I would guess at something like 6 million fitted in Australia alone. Plus of course the latest most efficient design like 350 w per panel. Perhaps one would do. ol'will
samfieldhouse
Well-Known Member
I have Renogy flexible panels on deck, 2x100w. 6 years old now and can’t fault them.
nigel1
Well-Known Member
Sea Change
Well-Known Member
Domestic panels are up to 600w these days, although to get that output they'll be over 2m long. A bit unweildy for a boat! Smaller sizes are still available. I fitted three 450w panels last year.
I've previously had much smaller 12v panels and really couldn't fault them.
They're much more robust than you might think. I had a 50w rigid panel which fell off the deck while the boat was beached. It fell about eight feet, landing face down on stones, and then lay underwater for several hours when the tide came in. It was still working a year later when I sold the boat.
Another rigid panel- a domestic sized one- was strapped on to my boat when a Cat 4 hurricane came through. It came free and landed face down on the gravel yard. I don't know whether that's before or after the storm surge flooded the place. Anyway, a friend took it because she'd lost all her solar in the same hurricane. It's still working.
