Solar Panel recommendations

[JaSC]

Greetings, new guy here. I have a dual battery setup and looking for solar panel recommendations. I'm using the Redarc 1225d 25a and it has a built in solar panel controller. Manual say 'must use with unregulated panel', but being new to solar I have zero idea who manufactures solar panels, let alone 'unregulated'. So kick me in the right direction to start the research and buying please. Thanks in advance!

 

[DMS1]

I buy my solar panels from Continuous Resources or Rich Solar. Unregulated means a solar panel without a built in solar charge controller, a lot of the folding solar panels have them built in. I would go with ridged panels if you have room for them. If you get flexible panels, look for "RV with Tito" on Youtube as he came up with a way to mount flexible panels so they can be removed and also have some cooling.

 

[dchurch]

I've been using an unregulated portable folding panel from Togo Power the TSP-120F. It's a 4 panel 120 watt output.

It's waterproof, well made and comes with good cable. It has zippered pocket for the cable, adapters and the manual. It is free standing using the folding legs or It can be hung by its grommets. We often lay it over the windshield.

We use a standard fixed framed 150 watt panel from Rich solar for our roof top. I have it attached but with adjustable pitch and it's removable for when we are camped in the shade.

The folding Togo rig is compact and super portable but the roof top Rich is nice because it is always on duty.

 

[JaSC]

Thanks much all! Now I have a starting point.

 

[Craige]

Renogy sells good flexible panels now.

Best Flexible Solar Panels - How Flex Solar Cell Works? - Flexible Solar Cells | Solwiser

Not cheap but light and I think a lot of power in the space available

 

[Road]

.
Solar panel efficiency for a lot of the most popular vendors is around 16-18%. Better panels made from better cells--that can still gather power in partial shade, are wired more efficently, have less reflective top coating, etc, all making them just overall more efficient--can be 25-30% more efficient than lesser made panels (adding 4-6% efficiency).

The current trend is towards flat flexible panels, though if you end up finding a good deal on efficient folding panels with a cheap charge controller on the back it's usually quite simple to cut it out of the loop and bypass it with your own wiring.

I have two terrific and super-efficient 120w folding panels (with Sunpower Maxeon cells) that I've done that with because I like my choice of charge controllers better, and prefer the controllers to be closer to the batteries for greater efficiency, not at the panel.

For best panel efficiency, it matters who makes the cells and makes the panels (not just the vendor who is selling finished panels with their name on them). Not all panel vendors source the same cells/panels year after year, so what they sell this year may not be the same efficiency as what they sold last year, or will sell next year.

Here's a great page that may be of help, IF you can find who actually makes the panels for your vendor of choice: Most Efficient Solar Panels On the Market - scroll down to see the current top 5.

.

 

[NotGumby]

I’ve been using a 160 watt foldable from Offgridtec for quite a few years without any issues or noticeable reduction in performance.

 

[Cpol]

Renogy

 

[Clarkk]

I recommend this Renogy flexible solar panel to anyone who wants a stealthy, super-flexible, and solar-efficient panel for different applications. It can resist 5400 Pa of snow and 2400 Pa of strong winds. Its junction box is also IP68-rated, making you feel more comfortable about the product’s safety and performance. This flexible solar panel is as tough and robust as conventional solar panel systems.

 

[Dimitri_Raptis]

I fully agree. Very well trusted company the Renogy. I used the Honk Kong based custom made solar panels called Lensun Solar. Sent them my drawings and created custom made ones for 500 USD.

 

[Noeltfg]

For solar panel Renogy, Goal Zero, HQST, and Bougerv are great well-known manufacturers . I personally use the BougeRV CIGS Flexible Solar Panels 200W 12V, Truly Bendable Solar Panel Made of Thin-Film Solar Cell, Off-Grid Stable Output for Marine Yacht RV Vehicle Curved Surfaces (200W Flexible).

 

[K12]

I would recommend staying away from flexible solar panels if possible. I had 2 different brands, a chinese brand (5 panels) and renogy (4 panels) all 9 panels lastes less than of then lasted less than 6 months and got heat spots. The renogy panels actually started peeling back the top layer and water started to get inside the panel. I have switched to all bougerv hard panels and will never go back.

 

[Dimitri_Raptis]

Lensun Solar, Hong Kong based, custom made. I have them on my car’s hood.

 

[dstock]

I would recommend staying away from flexible solar panels if possible. I had 2 different brands, a chinese brand (5 panels) and renogy (4 panels) all 9 panels lastes less than of then lasted less than 6 months and got heat spots. The renogy panels actually started peeling back the top layer and water started to get inside the panel. I have switched to all bougerv hard panels and will never go back.

Agreed!

I just had an Overland Solar flexible panel fail after 6 months of use. As it turns out, the flexible panels need to be adhesively mounted on a flat surface or adhesive mounted to a very rigid frame with lots of crossmembers. Renogy actually says their semi-flexible panels must be mounted using adhesive to a smooth flat surface.

I've got a couple Renogy rigid panels and a folding rigid briefcase panel I got off Ebay at least 10 years ago and have never had a problem.

It's back to rigid panels for me!

 

[shoredreamer]

Don’t buy cheap flexible solar panels. The small amount of savings doesn’t pay off in the long run.

Pictured below is a good example as to why. Renogy flexible panel (above) failed in 2 years, then upgraded to a quality flexible panel made by Merlin Solar (below). Merlin is sold around the world for military, marine and commercial fleet use, all flexible panels. The roof or hood of a 4wd overland rig can be some of the harshest conditions for a solar panel to live. Vibration, dirt, heat, and objects hitting or sliding over these panels require a rugged built panel. I wouldn’t bother with a delicate glass panel which is why rugged built flexible panels are the way to go. Check out Merlin here:

 

[jimmyjamson]

.
Solar panel efficiency for a lot of the most popular vendors is around 16-18%. Better panels made from better cells--that can still gather power in partial shade, are wired more efficently, have less reflective top coating, etc, all making them just overall more efficient--can be 25-30% more efficient than lesser made panels (adding 4-6% efficiency).

The current trend is towards flat flexible panels, though if you end up finding a good deal on efficient folding panels with a cheap charge controller on the back it's usually quite simple to cut it out of the loop and bypass it with your own wiring.

I have two terrific and super-efficient 120w folding panels (with Sunpower Maxeon cells) that I've done that with because I like my choice of charge controllers better, and prefer the controllers to be closer to the batteries for greater efficiency, not at the panel.

For best panel efficiency, it matters who makes the cells and makes the panels (not just the vendor who is selling finished panels with their name on them). Not all panel vendors source the same cells/panels year after year, so what they sell this year may not be the same efficiency as what they sold last year, or will sell next year.

Here's a great page that may be of help with residential solar power, IF you can find who actually makes the panels for your vendor of choice: Most Efficient Solar Panels On the Market - scroll down to see the current top 5.

.

I am trying to decide on solar panels for on top of my bimini on my boat. I currently have 260W of solar installed via flexible panels that I am looking to upgrade and use more of the space. I currently have 2x50W sunpower flexible panels that are starting to delaminate and discolor, and a single Renogy 160W panel. My measurements on my bimini are 59.5 inches x about 38 inches. I don't want to overhang because it represents a potential hazard on the boat.

I am looking at the Rich Solar 250W panels on amazon, but couldn't find them on the Rich Solar Website. My goal is to maximize the output in the area provided. I'm wondering whether the 250W panels are older and no longer available and whether they are clearing out stock on Amazon. Most everything else I have seen is 200W. The dimensions on the 250 seem to fit inside of my area without overhang so that is attractive.

Any other recommendations or types/sizes or brands of panels I should be looking at?
What is the impression of the Rich Solar panels?

What size charge controller would I need to cover the output of these panels a 100/50 from victron? Or should I split it to two 100/30's? I want to go Victron on the MPPT controllers since I have a Cerbo GX and all my existing charge controllers are linked.

 

[Dimitri_Raptis]

.
Solar panel efficiency for a lot of the most popular vendors is around 16-18%. Better panels made from better cells--that can still gather power in partial shade, are wired more efficently, have less reflective top coating, etc, all making them just overall more efficient--can be 25-30% more efficient than lesser made panels (adding 4-6% efficiency).

The current trend is towards flat flexible panels, though if you end up finding a good deal on efficient folding panels with a cheap charge controller on the back it's usually quite simple to cut it out of the loop and bypass it with your own wiring.

I have two terrific and super-efficient 120w folding panels (with Sunpower Maxeon cells) that I've done that with because I like my choice of charge controllers better, and prefer the controllers to be closer to the batteries for greater efficiency, not at the panel.

For best panel efficiency, it matters who makes the cells and makes the panels (not just the vendor who is selling finished panels with their name on them). Not all panel vendors source the same cells/panels year after year, so what they sell this year may not be the same efficiency as what they sold last year, or will sell next year.

Here's a great page that may be of help with residential solar power, IF you can find who actually makes the panels for your vendor of choice: Most Efficient Solar Panels On the Market - scroll down to see the current top 5.

.

I am trying to decide on solar panels for on top of my bimini on my boat. I currently have 260W of solar installed via flexible panels that I am looking to upgrade and use more of the space. I currently have 2x50W sunpower flexible panels that are starting to delaminate and discolor, and a single Renogy 160W panel. My measurements on my bimini are 59.5 inches x about 38 inches. I don't want to overhang because it represents a potential hazard on the boat.

I am looking at the Rich Solar 250W panels on amazon, but couldn't find them on the Rich Solar Website. My goal is to maximize the output in the area provided. I'm wondering whether the 250W panels are older and no longer available and whether they are clearing out stock on Amazon. Most everything else I have seen is 200W. The dimensions on the 250 seem to fit inside of my area without overhang so that is attractive.

Any other recommendations or types/sizes or brands of panels I should be looking at?
What is the impression of the Rich Solar panels?

What size charge controller would I need to cover the output of these panels a 100/50 from victron? Or should I split it to two 100/30's? I want to go Victron on the MPPT controllers since I have a Cerbo GX and all my existing charge controllers are linked.

Hi. I would strongly recommend Lensun Solar. Had them for years and work great. You can also order custom sizes and shapes.