Solar panel comparison anyone?

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

We (onboard a 33' Hunter Cherubini 1981) are in the process of procuring our solar panels. We'd like a total of around 125W at least. We are considering 2 Unisolar (65W ea), especially due to their lack of glass (not a flexible panel, just unbreakable according to mfg). We are under the impression 2 of 65W ea. would be preferable to 1 of 125W. We are also considering Kyocera, Evergreen Marine, GE, Sharp and others.Any comments or advice? Thanks much for this and all the past assistance...all the bestBob PullenBlue Sky & Xantrex for the rest of the hardware, plus proabably a good set of Trojan golf cart batts. -- also any suggestions?

 

[Claude Labrecque]

3 seimens

Hello Bob,We have a 35.5 with 3 X 55 watts each Seimens solar panels controlled by a Speciality concept mark 3 (SC3 15) charge controller. We are satisfied with the quality of the set up. However on the best day average output will be around 6 amps per hour for 6 to 8 hours for a maximum of 36/48 amps per day in our high latitude (45deg. North). On a regular day with shadow and clouds average hourly output is closer to 4 amps with a daily output of around 25/35 amps.The position of the panel is important and the orientation toward the sun very important to get maximum output. In our case everything is fixed, I know that it is not ideal, but I have better things to do while swinging at the end of my anchor that spend my time adjusting the panels...The best things about these are that they are maintenance free and above all noise less.Solar is a good choice but I think that you can not depend only on that source of energy if you have refregiration onboard.Good luck with your installation.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Thanks to all

Thank you very much for your replies. I am certainly looking forward to refitting Seanorita so as to be more energy efficient, including LED lights, very efficient dc/ac fridge, etc. I appreciate your advice. Please keep adding at will since I do check often. all the bestBob Pullen

 

[ted]

more info on unisolar

Can you give more info on unisolar? I hear a lot about Seimans and Kyocera but nothing about unisolar. I do believe they are an American company...

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Unisolar website

sure, here are a couple places that have them for sale:http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Electric-Panels/100-to-149-Watts-Solar-Panels/UniSolar-ES-124W-24V-Thinfilm-Solar-Pnl/p1979/andhttp://www.solarwindworks.com/Products/Solar_Modules/solar_modules.htmbut they're homepage is:http://www.uni-solar.com/they are very attractive to me due to their unbreakable naturea bit expensive but I'm hoping the price goes down by the time I'm ready to buy in late Dec.currently around $500 for the 116W modelall the bestBob