Bifacial 550W and above panels?

[fredct]

I am considering the "utility grade" 550W+ bifacial panels, from Renogy and from Trina (see Vertex). I am somewhat limited on space, this is about as large as I can use (2.3m x 1.3m) on Targa bar. I would prefer 2 small panels but the dimensions do not seem to work.


Has anyone here use these larger panels? I am concerned about a)single point of failure b) stress on the panel while sailing.

[rslifkin]

I haven't seen any of the 500+ watt panels on a boat in person yet, but plenty of people (myself including) are using large residential type panels on boats without issue. I've had a pair of 410w Trina panels on the forward cabintop of my boat for a few years now with no issues.

[s/v Jedi]

I use the Renogy 450W bifacial panels. What I do to reinforce them is add some aluminum profile inside it’s frame and fasten it with pop rivets. This works well.

[fredct]

So that makes an inner frame of sorts, couple of corners brackets and I am all set...


I have four good anchor points but there will be a big overhang on either side. Should work.


I will run the # for 2X 415 bifacial but it was too deep last I checked.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by fredct

So that makes an inner frame of sorts, couple of corners brackets and I am all set...


I have four good anchor points but there will be a big overhang on either side. Should work.


I will run the # for 2X 415 bifacial but it was too deep last I checked.

Here’s my array of four of them

[fredct]

Looks good. So once well supported, these panels can support quite the overhang.


That's quite the setup on your arch. I have a windmill mast so not an option for me. Very impressive.

[Seafarer7]

I have four of the 550 watt Renogy bifacial panels installed (see linked video). I reinforced the four anchor points with short aluminum bars in the frame.

Minus one failure (where panel started outputting only half its rated power) which Renogy promptly replaced, all are performing well.

[Jimbo2010]

that's enough for lights on ball park

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by fredct

Looks good. So once well supported, these panels can support quite the overhang.

That's quite the setup on your arch. I have a windmill mast so not an option for me. Very impressive.

My previous array was three fixed LG panels and a hurricane destroyed it while hauled out at a boatyard… but the panel reinforcement was fine, it was the frame that broke.

That array had 40% of the panel overhanging freely. But the LG frame was stronger too, 40mm instead of 35mm.

This array is four panels but the outer two slide in so it’s only two panels wide in stored mode. It’s a carbon fiber frame now.

[fredct]

Originally Posted by Seafarer7

I have four of the 550 watt Renogy bifacial panels installed (see linked video). I reinforced the four anchor points with short aluminum bars in the frame.

Minus one failure (where panel started outputting only half its rated power) which Renogy promptly replaced, all are performing well.

For the Renogy 550, what regulator did you use? 4 separate ones?

[Seafarer7]

Originally Posted by fredct

For the Renogy 550, what regulator did you use? 4 separate ones?

Each of the Renogy 550w panels uses its own Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50.

The other 5 smaller panels (770watts total, also all bifacial) share the 5th Victron 100/50 in parallel.

[fredct]

Originally Posted by Seafarer7

Each of the Renogy 550w panels uses its own Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50.

The other 5 smaller panels (770watts total, also all bifacial) share the 5th Victron 100/50 in parallel.

Thanks. Very useful. It's quite the setup you have. Just never cross the Panama canal!

[Seafarer7]

We had 60+ mph winds here two weeks ago and the framing and panels held ok.
It’s a 16.5 foot beam - so hopefully we can make it through the canal :-)

[fredct]

It's the lead balls they throw at you I would worry about. Same situation with anyone with solar panels. Lots of cushions needed.