3kw solar panels, what is the smallest footprint.

[Dave_S]

To achieve approximately 3kw of solar are there better products or better mounting that will allow me more energy production for less horizontal space ?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

To achieve approximately 3kw of solar are there better products or better mounting that will allow me more energy production for less horizontal space ?

Think of it like for every 500W you need 2 square meters.

Edit: Iuse sliding panels though, to double capacity when at anchor.

[HeywoodJ]

For the “better product” check the conversion efficiency of whatever panels you are considering. Every panel should give that value on the specification sheet, if it does not there is probably a reason. The top single-face efficiency commercially available is 22-23%, anything less than that increases surface area for the same power.

Where that ends up is a top-quality panel is rated at 220-230W/m² or about 13m² for your 3kW array. Bifacial gains may get you a moderate increase on that value but will depend significantly on the mounting details.

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

To achieve approximately 3kw of solar are there better products or better mounting that will allow me more energy production for less horizontal space ?

Bifacial panels from top 5 brands and Victron or Studer MPPT, one per panel to squeeze every watt out you can.
To reach 3kw you need 4 bifacial panels of the 700W class. There are normally 3 or 4 different output wattages speced on the same size of panel, take the top one and that’s harder then you think…due to strange reason you only find 2n or 3rd spec in shops to order, not the top spec…no idea why…
The 4 panel mount 2 panels 15 degrees tilted so you get a reversed V „roof“, water drains easier and the 15 degrees makes them kick earlier in and later out, maybe just 15-30min but that’s some additional amp hours.
It’s not all about the top hours when sun is highest, there nearly all panel produce well but the difference between top and cheap panels are in the side time hours, low lights, low angles, partly shaded where you still get 150-200W from a 700W panel where cheap is 0.
All you can do.