Best Solar Panels (1 Viewer)

[raysalaugh]

At present I have a 100w panel on my Autotrail so I am considering fitting a second solar panel and looking for information and advice on which is the best quality to purchase. Looking at 150w monocrystalline, most on Ebay appear to come from China although they are delivered from addresses in towns and cities in this country. So which ones are most reliable or are they all on a par?.
Hoping to keep two 110ah batteries charged whilst off grid.

Ray

 

[hilldweller]

I was swayed by ebay claims of "German Made solar cells" for Alpha Batteries in Rochdale. They seem to be working though keep pointing towards Poland. Good price and delivery.

 

[Two on Tour]

A lot of use on the forum have bought our panels from Photonic Universe. They have in their range both Chinese and Germany celled panels. http://www.photonicuniverse.com/
If your a member of The Camping and Caravanning Club you can get 10% discount.

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[Urs4_2008]

I’ve always bought the cheapest from cn. No troubles so far...

 

[Stealaway]

Big uns?

Looks like a bargain

 

[Two on Tour]

Big uns?

Looks like a bargain

Got to add your diesel on to go and collect them but still cheap.

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[raysalaugh]

Big uns?

Looks like a bargain

Yes, but appears to be a low output for size of panel. That's if I am reading the label correctly.

Ray

 

[Urs4_2008]

Yes, but appears to be a low output for size of panel. That's if I am reading the label correctly.

Ray

I believe your reading them wrong. P=U x I = 30.8 x 8.28 = 255.024 watts.

 

[Two on Tour]

I believe your reading them wrong. P=U x I = 30.8 x 8.28 = 255.024 watts.

@raysalaugh might mean the physical size of the panel to output i.e. the eBay panel 1650mm x 992mm at 18.5kg for 255 watts as apposed to a Photonic Universe 250 watt panel at 1390mm x 990mm at 15.3kg

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[tonka]

Be aware the built in regulator on the Sargent Ec500 used in some Autotrails is rated at 120w. So if your going above that you may need to fit a new separate regulator and will loose the smart charge facility unless you have a duel regulator...

My current 120w panel came from these guys, quite a few other funsters I know have bought from same place. http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25&product_id=32

 

[Urs4_2008]

@raysalaugh might mean the physical size of the panel to output i.e. the eBay panel 1650mm x 992mm at 18.5kg for 255 watts as apposed to a Photonic Universe 250 watt panel at 1390mm x 990mm at 15.3kg

Ah, my bad!

 

[tonyidle]

Quite a high MPPT Voltage too?

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[Lenny HB]

The Germans gave up making solar cells they are all made in China these days.
The only difference I've noticed between the cheaper & the more expensive panels is the frames are stronger on the more expensive ones. Performance appears to be similar but not had any long enough on a van to see if the output falls off sooner with age on the cheaper ones. I doubt if any of us would notice if they dropped off by say 10% too many variables to get consistent measurements anyway.

 

[Minxy]

You need to make sure your controller etc can accept that power level of panels, some can't, also consider the weight too as the 'domestic' (ie meant for house installation) ones tend to be heavier than those meant for motorhomes. If payload isn't an issue then you just need to make sure you aren't putting too much weight on one area of the roof especially if you have other stuff on there.

 

[raysalaugh]

No, I read the label wrong, thinking 150w is large enough considering output to keep battery charged on a sunny day.
Also surface area on roof, fitting in with all the skylights, panel and sat dish. But the question is can I just connect through a regulator to one of the leisure batteries without affecting the Sargeant smart charging system?. I e still charge both batteries whilst driving.

Ray

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[Urs4_2008]

No, I read the label wrong, thinking 150w is large enough considering output to keep battery charged on a sunny day.
Also surface area on roof, fitting in with all the skylights, panel and sat dish. But the question is can I just connect through a regulator to one of the leisure batteries without affecting the Sargeant smart charging system?. I e still charge both batteries whilst driving.

Ray

Can’t see why not

 

[Minxy]

Be aware the built in regulator on the Sargent Ec500 used in some Autotrails is rated at 120w. So if your going above that you may need to fit a new separate regulator and will loose the smart charge facility unless you have a duel regulator...

My current 120w panel came from these guys, quite a few other funsters I know have bought from same place. http://www.friendlygreengiant.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25&product_id=32

Just had a look at their site and they don't make any mention of what connectors are on them or even if they have any leads attached, never mind what length ...

 

[tonka]

Just had a look at their site and they don't make any mention of what connectors are on them or even if they have any leads attached, never mind what length ...

They usually come with MC4 connectors but I chop them off anyway, unsure on length but at a guess about 1 mtr ish, approx, maybe, sort of

My last 2 come from there and I know @Ambilkate and @Polar bear also bought from same suppliers. They used to post a lot on ebay but not so much now.

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[Minxy]

I've ordered these for my camper, they come with 3m cable but no connectors however you do get mounting brackets included:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100W-Mon...678903&hash=item25ef8fed15:g:Y7kAAOSwxJlan-je

 

[Lenny HB]

I've ordered these for my camper, they come with 3m cable but no connectors however you do get mounting brackets included:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100W-Mon...678903&hash=item25ef8fed15:g:Y7kAAOSwxJlan-je

No way would I mount a 100 watt panel with those tidly little brackets & there is only 4 of them.

 

[Minxy]

No way would I mount a 100 watt panel with those tidly little brackets & there is only 4 of them.

Not just relying on those, I have some alloy bars too so may, or may not, use the brackets, I was more interested in getting panels with the longer cable to minimise joints.

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[Freespirit1]

At present I have a 100w panel on my Autotrail so I am considering fitting a second solar panel and looking for information and advice on which is the best quality to purchase. Looking at 150w monocrystalline, most on Ebay appear to come from China although they are delivered from addresses in towns and cities in this country. So which ones are most reliable or are they all on a par?.
Hoping to keep two 110ah batteries charged whilst off grid.

Ray

If you want the best solar panels go to:

https://mipvsolarpanels.co.uk/

Third the weight of frame type - higher output - fully flexible - do the research - you won’t find a better option - make in Wales!

 

[Minxy]

How much!

 

[funflair]

If you want the best solar panels go to:

https://mipvsolarpanels.co.uk/

Third the weight of frame type - higher output - fully flexible - do the research - you won’t find a better option - make in Wales!

I have yet to see a proper test on these panels and the little reading that I have done would suggest that that they don't offer anything a standard silicon panel can't offer, but I will keep an open mind.

Martin

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[hilldweller]

How much!

Yes but they do work in the dark.






Surely.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes but they do work in the dark.

At those prices I'd want my money back if they don't.

 

[Freespirit1]

I have yet to see a proper test on these panels and the little reading that I have done would suggest that that they don't offer anything a standard silicon panel can't offer, but I will keep an open mind.

Martin

Well - the first very striking thing they offer is an extreamly low profile of 3mm thickness with a sikaflex adhesive film included in that thickness! Personally i think that frame type are so unsightly and cumbersome! No way I am going to put those horrible looking heavy things on my Motorhome!

You can walk all over them which means they are very robust - they will conform to curved surfaces - bi pass diodes around every other cell making them good for part shading - a third the weight of frame panels - the list goes on!

You can sit on the fence regarding the advantages of these panels over silicon frame or even silicon semi- flexible, however having ditched the latter for these I am extreamly happy with them and their performance - but your choice

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[Vansflyer]

I tried getting hold of Friendly Green Giant and they never answered the phone. Went to see them in Ludlow and they were no where to be seen at the address on the website so I went elsewhere. To here in fact ;-) Got two 140 panels off Freespirit1 that he hadn't used, previous versions of these.


Very impressed so far with the panels and the Victron controller. The MIPV panels looked very good but in the end didn't fit in the space I had available.

 

[Freespirit1]

I tried getting hold of Friendly Green Giant and they never answered the phone. Went to see them in Ludlow and they were no where to be seen at the address on the website so I went elsewhere. To here in fact ;-) Got two 140 panels off Freespirit1 that he hadn't used, previous versions of these.


Very impressed so far with the panels and the Victron controller. The MIPV panels looked very good but in the end didn't fit in the space I had available.
View attachment 227805

Hi - Good to hear your very happy with them and again an extreamly low profile, low weight panel - they look a nice installation