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prroots · 10-01-2012, 03:52

I have been looking at generators. Now I'd like to consider solar panels which offer huge advantages such as no moving parts, quiet, reliable and non-flammable. I'd like to satisfy on average 120 Ah/day (in Florida) as an initial starting point. From what I've read so far that may require three 120 Watt panels or two 180 Watt panels. It seems that the $/watt would be considerably less in the latter case. I would very much appreciate recommendations for types of panels and charge controllers that are reliable and cost effective. Thanks
Pete

**senormechanico** · 10-01-2012, 08:32

I've been very happy with my 120 watt panel from Solar Boulevard.

Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Charge Controller, Solar Trackers

**Cotemar** · 10-01-2012, 09:12

A lot of boaters are using the SunPower panels.
They are the smallest and lightest panels for the watts they put out.

SunPower E19 / 240 Residential Solar Panel

SunPower E19 / 320 Residential Solar Panel

Go great with the BlueSky controllers.

Solar Panels and Associated Systems

s/vPainkiller · 10-01-2012, 09:28

Where did you buy the Sunpower panels? I assume these are different from the Sun branded panels that Sun Electric (sunelec.com) sells?

Thanks,
Scott

**Cotemar** · 10-01-2012, 09:43

SunPower panels can be purchased from your local electrical supplier.
We have four boats in our marina that purchased them from a Boston MA, electical supplier.
I believe they are made in CA. SunPower are not Sun Electric

Mahaila · 10-01-2012, 09:51

I'm happy with some panels I got from Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Charge Controller, Solar Trackers but don't see them on the website currently. They might be the Solar Cynergy brand and may come and go on the site. They also sell on eBay. They had 80, 100, 120 and 140s at one time or another all were $1.35/watt which should be a great price. They seemed as good as any for marine use and I believe they were even advertised as such which may preclude warrantee issues. I also calculated the efficiency - the 100 watt had the best for it's size (a shorter panel) and the 140 had it over the 120 as they are the same longer form factor. I think it was about 11.4 sqin/watt.

Ron

**Cheechako** · 10-01-2012, 09:54

Based on user experience, what will it take to get to: " I'd like to satisfy on average 120 Ah/day (in Florida) as an initial starting point." ?

**hellosailor** · 10-01-2012, 10:11

"what will it take to get "
Rule of thumb, as repeated by places like Sandia National Labs and a host of universities, is that you will get about 4x the nominal noon output of a panel, during the course of an entire day. More in Florida's summer, maybe less in these short winter days. So you divide 120AH by 4 hours, you need a panel(s) rated for 30A output. 30A at a nominal 12 volts would be 360 watts of panels. Two 180's or three 120's should be able to provide the 120AH of power during a Florida day, year round.

An MPPT controller gives you abot a 10% boost over other charge controllers, and the charging efficiency of AGMs or gel cells (because of their lower internal resistance) can give you a 10% gain again, so the controller and battery type can shift the numers by a good 10-20% as well. Batteries are a longer issue but that makes an MPPT controller a no-brainer.

capn_billl · 10-01-2012, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

A lot of boaters are using the SunPower panels.
They are the smallest and lightest panels for the watts they put out.

SunPower E19 / 240 Residential Solar Panel

SunPower E19 / 320 Residential Solar Panel

Go great with the BlueSky controllers.

Solar Panels and Associated Systems

These panels look good, how much are those babies?

**Cotemar** · 10-01-2012, 11:38

Should be able top get the SunPower E19 240 watt panel in the $600 range.
They are not cheap, but if you need small and light these are the way to go.

There are a lot of boats out their using the SunPower panels now.
These guys are going around the world with them panels

**dandrews** · 10-01-2012, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Should be able top get the SunPower E19 240 watt panel in the $600 range.
They are not cheap, but if you need small and light these are the way to go.

There are a lot of boats out their using the SunPower panels now.
These guy are going around the world with them panels

Not that money matters to these guys, but my god do you think all those panels cost. WOW!

cwyckham · 10-01-2012, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandrews

Not that money matters to these guys, but my god do you think all those panels cost. WOW!

Not to mention the batteries and controller!

CAELESTIS · 10-01-2012, 20:29

Hmmmm . . . Sanyo 225w vs Sun Power 240w--which is better?

http://www.ehow.com/info_8153790_pho...ar-panels.html

vientoman · 11-01-2012, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Should be able top get the SunPower E19 240 watt panel in the $600 range.
They are not cheap, but if you need small and light these are the way to go.

There are a lot of boats out their using the SunPower panels now.
These guy are going around the world with them panels

Iv'e noticed that they seemed to have felt the need to extend the decks in order to grab more sun. Not to be overly critical, but seems like a bad idea from the standpoint of compromising the seaworthiness of such a vessel. You wouldn't want to catch yourself in any sort of actual sea conditions. However, I imagine the primary function of such a vessle is to motor around various ports showing off the million dollar array of panels.

The winds are driven by the sun so it seems a bit foolish to add a burdensome 81 percent drop in efficiency. Buy some sails. I think those panels would better serve to provide the basic needs of people living in the jungles of the Dominican republic. They use car batteries with no way of charging them. When they loose their charge they dump them in any nearby stream.....come on guys. Quit being selfish and help show the world what we can do to make the world a better place for all. Where is the challenge of creating a solar boat If you are going to spend a few mill, do something that helps people or something that hasn't been done....... something a little more worthwhile.

Allen Smith
Hood River, Or

**Cotemar** · 11-01-2012, 04:26

CAELESTIS,

The Sanyo HIT 225A solar panel is excellent also. Just 1inch longer and 2 lbs heavier.

http://us.sanyo.com/dynamic/product/...b-45533488.pdf

I have a friend in the UK using two of these Sanyo panels, because he could not find the SunPower panels. They are working great for him.
SunPower = Sanyo. I would say they are at the top.

Mark