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

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steve yates

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I dont know anything about solar panels, and was looking for one a similar size to my rigid 20w panel to fix to the sliding hatch roof, when I came across this…
12V 50W Semi Flexible Solar Panel Battery Auto Charger Kit Boat Car Controller | eBay

The dimensions seem awful small for a 50 w panel? Is this worth a punt ? Or any other good sources?

I was going to fit 2 lanels to the hatch, I have one already waiting to fit, but it occurred to me I could probably source a single larger panel for less than buying all the adapters and connections to join up two panels?

The available space on the hatch is 75 x 61 cm.
 
steve yates said:
I dont know anything about solar panels, and was looking for one a similar size to my rigid 20w panel to fix to the sliding hatch roof, when I came across this…
12V 50W Semi Flexible Solar Panel Battery Auto Charger Kit Boat Car Controller | eBay

The dimensions seem awful small for a 50 w panel? Is this worth a punt ? Or any other good sources?

I was going to fit 2 lanels to the hatch, I have one already waiting to fit, but it occurred to me I could probably source a single larger panel for less than buying all the adapters and connections to join up two panels?

The available space on the hatch is 75 x 61 cm.
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It is saying 1.2amps so I guess on a 12v system would be 14w
Which seems more likely , not a bad price if it lasts a couple of years
 
Sellers of solar panels are prone to exaggerating the power output by multiplying the maximum open circuit voltage by the short circuit current, thus 22 volts X 2.4 amps = 50--ish.
 
Very confusing from the Ebay ad specifications seem uncertain. As suggested probably only around 20w although I can't see the spec of 20 w. It describes being able to provide 5vm for USB charging yet does not seem to have a buck converter to give 5v. However in my experience of small solar panels Chines are ok for the price. ol'will
 
peteK said:
If you look in the specification it says 20w.
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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
 
Re not seeing 20w in original ad.

At the bottom of the picture are some left/right arrows showing features.

Click and run through them and you will see the 20W . The dimensions also look rather small for 50W.
 
europe172 said:
Which seems more likely , not a bad price if it lasts a couple of years
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So it's okay to buy from a country where human rights, workers rights, health and safety, environmental protection and the rule of law means nothing and then chuck in landfill after a couple of years so long as it's cheap....
 
SimonD said:
So it's okay to buy from a country where human rights, workers rights, health and safety, environmental protection and the rule of law means nothing and then chuck in landfill after a couple of years so long as it's cheap....
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Depressing, but true.
 
steve yates said:
Yes I thought the size too small, I see the 20w in the pics now, though the title amd the specs definitely state 50, I dont think I believe it.
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The peak current is 1.1 Amps, so it can't be 50 Watts. If you look at the address in Streetview it's a scruffy block of flats. Like many ebay 'bargains', it's cheap, fraudulent, worthless krap.
 
europe172 said:
Good luck in not owning anything made in china.
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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.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
You can get Korean LG panels, but only rigid ones. There are some German manufacturers as well, but again only for large rigid panels suited to a domestic installation. The only smaller flexible ones I can find not made in China are Austrian ones, but they are expensive and sometimes unavailable. The fastening system looks good.

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
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Hats off to Photonic Universe (great company to deal with by the way) for stating that this panel is made in Austria and that it is: "100% made in Austria to the highest European quality standards using Austrian and German components. IEC certified." It's that sort of action that drives change.
 
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