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Old 14-10-2014, 02:59   #1
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Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Hello,

In the attached file I describe how I added 3 flexible solar panels to the bimini top of my Beneteau Oceanis 40. In addition to the mounting aspects of the project, I also discuss some electrical considerations on the wiring of the panels.

Regards, Vladis
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Old 14-10-2014, 04:50   #2
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Good post. Thanks. Am looking at solar again.
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Old 14-10-2014, 18:51   #3
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Could you give us some feedback on how much output you are getting from the flexible panels ie how efficient they are?

There is a thread in another forum, the Helia 44 Performance thread, where the owner is only getting about 25% of what the semi-flexible panel is claimed to be able to produce in ideal conditions, so it would be good to get other users feedback on that.

Much appreciated
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Old 14-10-2014, 20:28   #4
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Hello BigBeakie,

The panels produce the electricity as I expected. I mounted the panels in May and spent all the summer in the Mediterraneum being, on average, 3 nights on anchor, one night in a marina. Below is the translation to English of a post I made in a Spanish forum after the first week using the panels.

Regards, Vladis

hi,

I had promised to tell you how the panels behave. This is what I'm doing now. I came to San Antonio in Ibiza, about a week ago. We have been anchored in coves of this beautiful Balearic Island and my observation is this:

- 08h - idle 12.6 V (12.3 V when the refrigerator is ON)
- 10h - more than 13 V
- 12h - 14.2 V

The shadow on the panels is rare and difficult to note regarding battery charging.

My conclusion: the 220W panels offer more than enough for my 280Ah bank. Put in another way; the panels are capable of providing near 15A for about 8 hours and are able to replace about 120AH. I estimate that I spent about to 3A for 16 hours when there is no sun is, ie 48Ah. So all is well!

Regards, Valdis
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Old 14-10-2014, 21:20   #5
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Thanks for a very valuable post. Could you give me the panel makers name or link?

It would also be good to know the make & model of the controller you chose.

Peter
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Old 14-10-2014, 21:53   #6
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Thanks Vladis, much appreciated.

You are getting much more than 25% of expected current output, so I wonder why some users are getting such poor results, and others are getting about 80% of expected output? Assuming there is no obvious explanation such as shading?
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Old 14-10-2014, 22:44   #7
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

I have used some semi flexible panels from eBay. I am only getting about 3 amps short circuit current from each 80 watt panel. Sun angle does not seen as good compared to a normal panel. These were low cost about $200 each but very disappointed.


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Old 15-10-2014, 20:16   #8
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Hello,

Now that I have the boat in the marina for the winter and the panels at home, I may test them more precisely, on some sunny day, namely the short circuit current and the open circuit output voltage.

The panels cost me about 100USD each and I got them from

Shenzhen Sanyi Feida Technology Co., Ltd. - Solar Panel,Solar Street Light

The MPPT controller is this one:

http://www.ev-power.eu/Solar-GridFre...rchparam=solar

and I purchased it from Amazon.

My original post and for those who understand Spanish (I am Portuguese and used Google translator) can be found here:

Bricobarco Ahora, tengo paneles solares en el bimini - La Taberna del Puerto

Best Regards, Vladis
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Old 16-10-2014, 00:10   #9
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Thanks for the links, both suppliers are new to me. If you have time, an update on your experience with the panel& controller would be great! Peter
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Old 17-10-2014, 04:47   #10
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Re: Flexible Solar Panels for Beneteau Oceanis 40

Hi "Ben 373" I have a Beneteau Oceanis moored in Middle Harbour with three 50 watt solar panels working great no problems at all keeping up with my demands happy to chat anytime email tim1945@optusnet.com.au
Cheers Tim
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