Yet another Solar Panel question

[cpedw]

The boat (Westerly Falcon) has a broken, disintegrating 20W solar panel on the hatch garage. There's also a 20W panel on the forward coachroof (newer and still working).

The hatch garage is slightly curved and gets walked on ocasionally so a semi flexible panel would be appropriate. Among the possible replacements, I've found this 20W panel would fit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-20W-3...909&pid=100033&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=261199370531&

But I could get 3 of these 10W panels in the space http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18V-10W-s...61199369276?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item3cd0b2143c

Is there any reason not to use 3 panels in parallel for extra oomph? Am I right in thinking it could be beneficial when 1 (or 2) panel(s) is shaded - better output than a single panel shaded? Shading is likely as these will be located under the boom.

Thanks in advance for your observations.
Derek

 

[TQA]

But I could get 3 of these 10W panels in the space http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18V-10W-s...61199369276?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item3cd0b2143c

Is there any reason not to use 3 panels in parallel for extra oomph? Am I right in thinking it could be beneficial when 1 (or 2) panel(s) is shaded - better output than a single panel shaded? Shading is likely as these will be located under the boom.

Thanks in advance for your observations.
Derek

Good idea 3 small are better than one big in that situation.

 

[alteredoutlook]

I too am thinking about solar panels on the hatch garage/under the boom. How slippery are these when walking on?

 

[duncan99210]

Among the possible replacements, I've found this 20W panel would fit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-20W-3...909&pid=100033&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=261199370531&

But I could get 3 of these 10W panels in the space http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18V-10W-s...61199369276?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item3cd0b2143c
Derek

I'd go for the first listing as it is on an aluminium backing sheet which is likly to be more robust than the plastic laminate of the second offering. However, it would also make sense to fit a number of smaller panels if shading is likely to be a problem, as is the case with mounting on the hatch garage.

I have one of these panels fitted to the forward end of the coach house in front of the mast. It offers about the same sort of grip as the surrounding GRP.

 

[laika]

The hatch garage is slightly curved and gets walked on ocasionally so a semi flexible panel would be appropriate. Among the possible replacements, I've found this 20W panel would fit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10W-20W-3...909&pid=100033&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=261199370531&

These are £170 for 2x40w panels. Barden will charge you £437.35 for a Solara M-series 34W semi flexible. Although I recognise the former may be less efficient in many ways and probably maybe less durable...that's a 5x price difference. Are these cheapies no cop or are the German ones (which posters on this forum have reported delaminating after a few years) just massively over priced?

 

[V1701]

I have a 40w semi-flexible from the same ebay supplier (Lensun) which has been sitting on the hatch garage for 2 years now. There's a bit of degradation of the tedlar film's adhesion to the aluminium sheet around the edges of the panel but not where the PV cells themselves are. If I was wiring the panel myself I'd choose to have them a bit sturdier than those supplied & I also put a large blob of sikaflex around where the wires leave the little diode box, both for extra strength & waterproofing. I wouldn't want to be walking over the semi-flexible panels, don't think they're tough enough for that despite claims they can be walked on. Overall I'm happy with the panel, not convinced shelling out extra for the likes of Solara panels would be money well spent.
I also have had a 40w & a 20w rigid framed panel from Lensun, no degradation of any sort, the diode & wiring is better protected as it's underneath the frame which can also be drilled very easily for mounting. I think these panels are exceptional value & far more hard wearing than the semi-flexible. Hope that helps...