Speaking of cheap chinese kit, 50w solar panels for under £25?

SimonD said:
Yes, but why is so much we buy made in China? Because too many of use look for the cheapest we can get rather than the best quality we can afford. If we carry on like this, I suspect that we, or our children, will pay a heavy price at some point in the future. The Uyghurs, Taiwanese and people of Hong Kong are already paying the price. The answer is to make better choices and take opportunities (like this one) to raise the issue.
Click to expand...
I agree that buying locally is preferable, it is sometimes a luxury. I would prefer that national sanctions be used to influence governments rather than social media ( let’s not forget the algorithms only care on how many clicks and not facts)
 
I would use Photonic Universe, in the UK and the panels are good quality, ETFE coated, which is better but of course more expensive. A quick look shows a 60w semiflexible panel at £119.99, 720x505 so will fit your hatch. You'll need a controller also, from £17.99. I've used Photonic Universe for both our boat and a rigid one for the motorhome. They also do dual battery controllers, for engine and house batteries. I used a 'pear shaped' deck connection for 2 cables from Index Marine(black is cheaper than the white version!)
 
steve yates said:
Cant see that Pete, below are the specs I see. ( whats the difference between maximum power voltage 18w and maximum power 50w? Is the latter how solarpanels are rated?)

Condition:
New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging ... Read moreabout the condition
MPN:
Does Not Apply
Charging Temperature:
-20~70℃
Number of Cells:
36 pieces, 2*5cm
Maximum Power Voltage:
18V
Type:
Solar Panel Kit
Brand:
Unbranded
USB Output:
5 V, 2A
Maximum Power Current:
1.2A
Maximum Power:
50W
EAN:
Does not apply
Click to expand...
18 X 1.2 = 21.6 that is Max. If you get 12 - 15 volts out you may be lucky!
 
One thing that may be worth considering is the position of the junction box on the solar panel.

Flexible panels largely have them the same side as the exposed cells. Depending on price paid, it is not uncommon for the junction box to give up before the cells. I doubt that many panels are designed solely for the harsh marine environment .
 
We paid 35 Euros for our 50 W from a German supplier. The blurb said they are used for Nav aids; that was marine enough for us. They are 4 years old now and in excellent shape.
I would not touch cheap flexible ones with a barge pole and 119.- is still cheap. Anyone who thinks you can buy a competitively priced solid panel made in Europe or thinks that they are so much better than the Chinese ones, is sadly deluded. On the Mainland at least, all panels sold must meet CE and the test requirements of the German Technical Supervisory Association (TUV).
 
I paid £195 for an 18w Solarex panel in …1995

I still have it too

I thought it expensive at the time but in terms of Watts per £, have we really moved on that much like computers’ Moores Law ?
I dunno
 
Blueboatman said:
I paid £195 for an 18w Solarex panel in …1995

I still have it too

I thought it expensive at the time but in terms of Watts per £, have we really moved on that much like computers’ Moores Law ?
I dunno
Click to expand...
I had a 10w (or was it 5w?) On my first boat, leisure 17 in about 2005 it cost about £100 as I recall so was a major investment in alternative technology but provided me with free power on my swinging mooring.
I've since had several larger panels on my boats, all semi flex, which have performed faultlessly and are now considered mainstream technology. Semi flex are easier to fit and you can walk on them although I avoid it if possible.
I've noticed that the prices have tumbled over the years and my £100 would get me 50-80 watts.
 
Plum said:
Interesting. Please report back on it's performance.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...
Sorry it took so long, the panel has happily kept both batteries fully charged on the mooring, as would be expected. Just did a 5 day trip and arrived back with one battery showing 12.6v and the other 12.9v so I would say thats a success. I wasnt frugal with electronics, I ran depth, gps and vhf all day, depth most of the night too, plus was always charging iphone or ipad from usb slots or garmin gps dongle from 12v socket, the autopilot was used a lot, and the diesel heater was used a few times, and cabin lights in the evening for a few hours. That was two 110a/hr leisure batteries.
 
At the moment, the Chinese lead the world in solar panel technology. They hold the record for efficiency ratings and other benchmarks. If you want the best, you buy Chinese. They are also not resting on their laurels, and considerable effort is going research; they see solar technology as their way out of reliance on fossil fuels.

It is very likely the EU made panels use cells from China. There is little manufacturing capacity for semiconductor devices in Europe.

I completely agree with the human rights issues - I have family in Hong Kong - but realistically it is difficult bordering on impossible to avoid buying Chinese electronic goods.

As with all things, of course there are wide boys who oversell underperforming goods, especially on internet markets like eBay and Amazon. Equally, Europe based sellers have to make a profit, so they sell more dearly than direct from China sellers can. But the European supplier is bound by stricter consumer legislation! In the end, you pays your money and takes your chance. I do think that solar panels are over-priced in Europe generally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top