New Solar panel recommendations

[more]

Originally Posted by cat-keys

Also will add 7 x 100w flexible sun power panels in two separate arrays one on port and one on starboard. Will use 3 separate mppt

The Sun power panels are proving the hardest part of the project

I watch a lot of Will Prowse YouTube and also bought his book to work on the design

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onMZ_dRSFUs

[more]

Before 2010 we also selling wholesale solar panels.
Price be 2-4€ 1 W in this time.
2 cruise ship buy from as in this time very expensive Sanyo HIP-something solar panel . Panel fail in 2-year warranty claim is denied because first is mont less 2 km from sea, the second panel is mount without 10+ cm space for ventilation from the back.

[MWGDVC]

I opted for 2x320W (60”x39.25” ea.) PERC technology panels from Renogy, purchased through Home Depot.
After my friend and neighbor had panels arrive damaged/broken, and his experience with getting replacements from a company in Arizona, who told him if the next set arrived broken, they wouldn’t sell him panels, I chose to purchase through Home Depot, shipped to store. This allowed me to inspect for damage prior to accepting the panels, and deal with someone face to face to resolve any problems. They arrived to the store packaged very well, with no damage, and have performed impressively since installation . Cost was $1.17USD per watt.

[Cap Morgan]

I’m looking at Renogy 400 W starter kit on Amazon for $500. Does anyone have experience with these or know anything of their compatibility for marine use? Thanks!

[cottonsail]

Originally Posted by MWGDVC

I opted for 2x320W (60”x39.25” ea.) PERC technology panels from Renogy, purchased through Home Depot.
After my friend and neighbor had panels arrive damaged/broken, and his experience with getting replacements from a company in Arizona, who told him if the next set arrived broken, they wouldn’t sell him panels, I chose to purchase through Home Depot, shipped to store. This allowed me to inspect for damage prior to accepting the panels, and deal with someone face to face to resolve any problems. They arrived to the store packaged very well, with no damage, and have performed impressively since installation . Cost was $1.17USD per watt.

Good luck with your system. I just copied this from Sun Electronics in Miami.

(NEW) Sun Solar Panels
Min order: 1 Pallet | FOB: Miami – $0.43/W | FOB: Chicago – $0.36/W ****

Model
Description Watts Qty
Available Price
per Panel (CHIGAGO) ****
Sun-220W 60 Cells 220 213 pcs $79.20
Sun-230W 60 Cells 230 1600+ pcs $82.80

[bgallinger]

Originally Posted by westsailwill

I am looking to replace my old Kyocera 140w panels (2) with new 180/200w high efficiency rigid marine grade Perc monocrystalline panels, and don’t want to break the bank. Panel size is 59 1/4” x 26 1/4”. Budget is $300-$400 per panel. Recommendations?

Have a look at Newpowa 200w panels. Dimensions are 64" x 26". Priced at $230 in Canuckistan money

[Statistical]

Is it going on a solar arch or over bimini. If it is an arch I wonder if the newer bifacial panels would be worth it. Would you get enough reflection off the deck and water to make the slightly higher price justified?

[westsailwill]

No they are not. My existing panel are rail mounted. I am specifically looking for PERC/Mono 180/200v marine grade panels in the size I stated. The 59.25” x 26.25” is somewhat of a standard size for this voltage panel. What I am asking assistance for in this thread is if anyone out there has recently purchased some PERC/Mono marine grade panels, and wouldn’t mind sharing their source and pricing info.
Thank you to everyone for posting your own solutions and what has worked for you, but I am in search of a particular product. I know exactly what I’m looking for, I just need assistance in locating it, along with pricing, and any additional feedback such as quality of product, customer service, etc.

[hutchel]

I put 10 of the Newpower panels on abt 10 mos ago as 5 sets of series each set to a Victron 100/30 controller. Even in FL in Feb my 900ah house (lead acid) is fully charged by 10-11am. I have been really happy w them. Looking forward to my planned upcoming Lithium upgrade ... only so much $$$$ avail at a time. So far the best output i've seen is 1200w instant, but that's not great sun angle and batteries that were not way down.

[rotrax]

I am going to fit 2 X 200w rigid panels to the rear of our large pilothouse roof. This should keep up with the refrigeration requirements during time on the hook in our damp and dark UK waters. Epever 30A controller, short wire runs so 4mm2 cable. We have 440AH house bank, 110AH engine start battery, 110AH genset battery, 660 AH in total. We needed the genset going far too much last year living for over 4 months, on the hook as often as possible to keep costs down.

[Nefta]

There are these modular archs with a tilting system that allows them to be oriented to the sun to maximize the efficiency of the panels:
https://www.autocazantes.com/en-gb/portiques-3/

[Nefta]

There are these modular archs with a tilting system that allows them to be oriented to the sun to maximize the efficiency of the panels:
https://www.autocazantes.com/en-gb/portiques-3/

[bgallinger]

Interesting! Nice to see a new twist on an old idea.

[CaptainRivet]

Highly recommend to go Bifacial panel even if you don't use backside. They work with diffussion light which is tons around on the water.
They are a game changer and less prone to shading. I get 80% on passage compared to anchor.
Very cheap and awesome are Longli 365W bifacial, wanted the BENQ but they weren't available and these fitted even better and were half the price...they even have an awesome rigid aluframe to mount them... Really a lucky punch. Rheh deliber in average 360W, best I saw was 445W per panel, for 150Euro rhe panel. Would get them again without thinking a second.
MPPT only victron, my buddy had renogy and epever, both had 15% less output on same panels compared to victron. One MPPT per panel. Just to test replaced one victron with his epever and can confirm the 15% delta.