We installed 2 "GreeSonic" 100 watt panels from Amazon this spring.
100% positive review on these panels.
Northern
Great Lakes area.
They have a low-glare high-efficiency top cover with very good ratings for durability.
High efficiency SunPower cells. Renogy
MPPT controller.
The panels are flexible, but do have a fairly stiff
aluminum sheet backing. No problems with the gentle bend required for mounting on a light mahogany frame on top of the bimini. The whole setup is very unobtrusive -- most visitors don't notice that we have a
solar system.
These panels have since May met ALL of our
electrical needs for summer cruising. The
boat is on a
mooring at home and when we do stop at a marina we don't bother to
plug in. We do have a high-output
alternator setup but have not needed to run the
engine for
charging. When cruising in good
weather, on a sunny day the
batteries (420 AH Trojans) are brought to full charge by lunchtime. On a good day we have seen a measured 180 watts gross output with about 170 watts going into the
batteries.
Hinterhoeller Niagara 35 Major
Electrical Loads: All LED
lighting,
Isotherm Refrigeration, Computer,
VHF, Stereo,
Holding Tank Aeration, Espar Forced Air
Diesel Heater.
In the past I have been very skeptical about the practicality of
solar and hated the look, weight, and windage of the older
aluminum framed panels. We always relied on the
Volvo diesel for
charging. Now I am a complete convert and can't say enough good things about these panels and controller.