Solar poanel recommendation

[ceejayt]

Have had my solar panels which were factory fitted a coupe of years ago. I have been told that there have been improvements in the panels, more efficient etc and as I am thinking of adding an additional panel I might as well change all three.

So, who is using what and why?

Thanks in advance

C

 

[pappajohn]

Only 2 years old......they should have around 18 more years before the output begins to regrade.
If you're going to buy another three and you have roof space stick the new ones on AS WELL.

 

[CazPaul]

Good grief ours are original manufacturer fit panels in their 17th year of age and still work.

 

[ceejayt]

Not saying they don't work - just that some newer panels were more efficient. If I add ne more to existing two will they mix and match OK?

 

[CazPaul]

Yes certainly

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[ceejayt]

Yes certainly

Great - so any particular recommendation on make of panel or are they all much of a muchness?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Great - so any particular recommendation on make of panel or are they all much of a muchness?

I bought ours from photonic Universe, they do ones with either German or Chinese cells. I emailed their technical department and they advised the German ones MAY be better under cloudy conditions but it's only theoretical, he went on to say most people are happy with the Chinese ones and they sell far more.

So I went Chinese and it's excellent quality, aluminium and glass construction but Chinese cells

This is the latest version of ours, looks like it's now 160w. Ours is 150w

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid

www.photonicuniverse.com

 

[WESTY66]

Not saying they don't work - just that some newer panels were more efficient. If I add ne more to existing two will they mix and match OK?

No they wontI will come and pick up your old ones for recycling

 

[CazPaul]

Great - so any particular recommendation on make of panel or are they all much of a muchness?

Not sure I think there’s not much in it these days if you just choose a decent one

 

[Manic]

I know panels have become better, a few years ago I removed our one panel (propably 2001) and when removed it, checked label and it was 60 watt but the panels I was refitting were 100watt and the same physical size.
panel a couple of years old , i would just add more and leave original.

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[funflair]

I would keep the ones that are there and add extra ones onto their own MPPT controller.

 

[Two on Tour]

If your buying additional panels then get ones that are the same or as near to the voltage of your original panels and check how many watts your solar charge controller can handle, or as funflair suggest, fit your new panels as standalone to your existing system.

 

[Gaston aires]

As funfair says. Keep the panels maximise there efficiency and buy an MPPT controller assuming you don’t already have one.
There, saved you loadsa money and work.

 

[Littlewheels]

Not saying they don't work - just that some newer panels were more efficient. If I add ne more to existing two will they mix and match OK?

I simply added to mine but it’s important to upgrade the MPPT controller and l would recommended the Votronic MPPT controller which offers excellent performance, l have 360ah Lithium’s and recently spent a month of grid.
<Broken link removed>

 

[Miss Daisy]

Interesting reading all the posts, not sure I understood most of the comments!! we had an additional panel added to our van at the Peterborough show a few years back. it was not connected to the display panel that displays how much goes into the batteries but seems to work well. We have a problem with the factory fitted solar panel which does not seam to be working as no readings are coming up on the display. How do we get this repaired. Hope this makes sense

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[RustyRuss]

I have been advised that best practice is to match as closely as possible the VmP (Voltage max Performance) and VoC (Voltage open Circuit) and the wattage of the old panels to your new panel(s) as the lower of each value determines how well the rest of the system will run. The P.V. array will always work to the lowest common denominator, not to new, potentially higher values, so check the small print on the tech spec for each panel.... and make sure the one(s) you buy will fit the available space! You can buy 2into1 and 3into1 splitter cables as well to make the connections easier.

Cheers! Russ

 

[ceejayt]

Currently have a voltronic mppt controller. No idea how it all works. Will get a techie to take a look

 

[Richard n Ann]

Scrap/sell/bin/get rid of them and fit nice brand new matching ones. Keep the Votronic if it's big enough.

That's what I'd do anyway, you know it's right then. There's nothing worse than it not working properly when you're away