Where to buy Tinned copper solar wire

[Paul Elliott]

Wasn't it claimed that the PV wire insulation had better UV protection, what with it being installed out in the sun?

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Regardless of what they call it, it is wire. Maybe the composition of the tinning may be different or the amount? I doubt the copper alloy is. I doubt it is silver.

You can stick any Kind of label on a produce and sell it for more.

But it doesn't cost more than comparable gauge tinned marine wire.

[YPSILANTI]

Greetings, Apologies for hijacking your thread. I am about to go down the same road as you. I came across the Solara panels and was very impressed . However, I was disencouraged to use them by a local installer here in South Africa who cited lesser efficiency and that shade cast caused the entire panel to shut down. I was suprised and sceptical regarding his comments . Is that true? Are there more efficient panels available and how do these compare? I really like the fact that youy can walk on them as they will be on top of my cat bimini. Also, are you installing a Victron battery monitor as well? If not, any particular reason? Any other hardware you suggest? Thank you.

https://www.victronenergy.com/battery-monitors/bmv-700i

[billzona]

Thanks that is great wire, but cable from panel ot controller is a different animal. mainly the insulation i believe. Perhaps i will go with out the tinned SV wire cable.

[billzona]

YPSILANTI you are correct to some degree, you must have sun on them. in my case i went with SOlara mono crystallite rigid. three at 140 watts with three victron 75/15 MPPT controllers. this will allow best efficiency in an imperfect world. later i will add an Eclectic D400 Wind Gen. that will help. the flex walk on panels are EXPENSIVE.

[smac999]

"Solar wire"is black and probably has way better uv resistance as it's made to be exposed on House roof. I have used both solar wire and marine wire. Personally not a big fan of solar wire as both leads are black. But the mc4 connectors fit better. They don't fit / seal probably on marine 10awg. The solar jacket is thicker. I generally loom the wire anyways so uv on the wire doesn't really happen anyways

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by smac999

"Solar wire"is black and probably has way better uv resistance as it's made to be exposed on House roof. I have used both solar wire and marine wire. Personally not a big fan of solar wire as both leads are black. But the mc4 connectors fit better. They don't fit / seal probably on marine 10awg. The solar jacket is thicker. I generally loom the wire anyways so uv on the wire doesn't really happen anyways

Red and black now in Canada as the code has changed for terrestrial installations.

[SSgtPitt]

Solar wire is black so the sunlight doesn't escape before it reaches your controller.

[Kakalina]

I got mine from Gregsmarine.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by SSgtPitt

Solar wire is black so the sunlight doesn't escape before it reaches your controller.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Regardless of what they call it, it is wire. Maybe the composition of the tinning may be different or the amount? I doubt the copper alloy is. I doubt it is silver.

You can stick any Kind of label on a produce and sell it for more.

Once the electricity has been produced, the wire doesn't know how the electricity was produced and it doesn't care. It no different than if it was produced by a battery or alternator.

Marine wire is just wire designed to meet the special conditions found on boats. The anti corrosion properties of tinning and the flexibility of the fine stranding.

[dsiddens]

I ended up buying 100' of solar wire. Didn't need much, have a boat load left over. But, it was not tinned. Located in Oriental NC.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by dsiddens

I ended up buying 100' of solar wire. Didn't need much, have a boat load left over. But, it was not tinned. Located in Oriental NC.

The term solar wire is perplexing. More strands per gage, tinning with more silver in the mix? It may just be a marketing ploy? Then it could be made for minimum resistance considering the low current produced by solar.

Anyone have an answer and not a bunch of speculative BS or unsubstantiated BS with formulas from HS chemistry.

[Training Wheels]

UL rated photovoltaic wire is sun and water resistant, approved for open rooftops or underground use. It is 7 or 19 strand, and is tinned. Much thicker insulation than marine wire, it can be left in the sun uncovered.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Training Wheels

UL rated photovoltaic wire is sun and water resistant, approved for open rooftops or underground use. It is 7 or 19 strand, and is tinned. Much thicker insulation than marine wire, it can be left in the sun uncovered.

Agree solar wire is sun and water resistant and tinned. The wire I sell is a lot more than 19 strands though - comparable to same gauge tinned boat cable from Ancor or comparable manufacturer. It is 10 gauge.

Major difference between boat cable and solar wire is the UV resistance - boat cable is not outdoor rated.