Marine Solar Panels

​Panel Type - There are many articles written on the two types of solar panels also referred to as photovoltaic panels (PV) ; monocrystalline and polycrystalline.  Monocrystalline panels are made up of single crystal silicon wafers.  Polycrystalline panels are made using silicon wafers that have a multiple crystalline structure.  There are pros and cons to each type of panel.  Monocrystalline panels have a higher output per square inch in direct sun.  They can be sensitive to shading and output may degrade faster on cloudy days.  Polycrystalline  panels tend to have a lower output per square inch in direct sun but are not as sensitive to being shaded.  It is important to note that today's newer high quality polycrystalline panels perform within 5% of monocrystalline panels in full sun.  The premium monocrystalline SunPower cells used in our premium van solar panels provide the best all around performance of any solar cells on the market.

Panel Solar Cell Quality - Because vans have a relatively small available space for solar, maximum power output per surface area is very important. The quality of the solar cells used in solar panels is a key factor in determining the panel output.  Solar cells are passed under a standard light source and graded as to their output (1-10).  Grades are grouped into classes.  Class A (and A+) solar cells are grades 8-10, Class B solar cells are grades 4-7 and so on.  Solar cell quality follows a bell curve; there are many more Class B solar cells than Class A.  We at CMP specify only the best Class A-9 (A+) solar cells for use in our panels which results in a panel efficiency of 16-24%.   Less expensive Class B and C panels are often used on land based solar farms where space is not an issue.  Though a bit more expensive, our customers have reported that our solar panels often outperform the performance rating on the panel label.  Average 5 Sun Hours in a Day

The Importance of Solar Cell Quality - Not All 100 Watt Solar Panels Are Created Equal - ​​High quality high performance solar cells will produce more power at various sun angles than lower quality solar cells; up to 30% more power.  An important consideration in determining how much solar power you need is how many watt hours or amp hours of power you can expect to generate in a 24 hour period.  Let's say you camp in an area that receives an average of 5 hours of full sun a day.  The average is computed based on the seasonal sun angle and the sun angle from morning through evening.  A 100 watt solar panel with average efficiency solar cells may produce 100 watts x 5 hours or 500 watt hours of power in a day.  At 13 volts that's about 38 amp hours in a day.  A 100 watt panel with high efficiency solar cells will produce up to 30% more power in a 24 hour period or 100 watts x 6.5 effective hours or 650 watt hours of power in a day.  At 13 volts, that's about 50 amp hours in a day.  38 amp hours vs. 50 amp hours in a day is significant in a van.  Add more panels in the mix, say 400 watts and we see 152 amp hours vs.200 amp hours, a difference of 48 amp hours. This simple analysis does not take into consideration the impact of clouds or shading both of which will make the disparity even greater.   Clearly, the higher the quality of the solar cells the more power produced over time.

Panel Shape - The largest market for solar panels is commercial applications where many many panels are mounted on a home roof or in a field.  These panels are usually rectangular in shape often twice as long as wide. Vans solar panels need to have different sizing available as they are a different niche. The 150 watt walkable panels have proven our most popular with camper van owners.

Marine Grade - It's no secret that the marine environment, especially salt water, can be tough on equipment. To withstand the rigors of the marine (and van life) environment, solar panels should have strong stout anodized aluminum framing, should be well sealed and waterproof, and have the electrical box on the back of the panel encased in an inert non-corrosive waterproof material (like silicone) to protect the electronic components.Quality marine grade solar panels are designed with bypass diodes to significantly reduce the impact of shading that so often occurs when camping and boating.Choosing the right panel for your needs will require study and/or discussion with PV panel experts.  Our staff at Custom Marine Products are ready to help you design the best solar system for your van's needs. Contact us via email or phone for a free consultation.

Solar Tax Incentive - As long as there is a head, galley, and at least a bunk onboard and your van is used in the United States, your van may qualify. This Federal tax credit is a 30% credit on all qualified expenses to purchase and install solar panels and a solar system (including any installation charges), with no maximum limit for equipment placed in service after 2008. Plus you may have tax credits in your state

• The key to a high performance, high quality marine solar panel that will last is the quality of the solar cells used in the panel.  We use only the highest efficiency grade A+ solar cells.  
• Our panels are built with premium SunPower monocrystalline back contact solar cells and PERC high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells.
• Our solar panels have essential blocking and bypass diodes built in (to prevent power from flowing into shaded panels or from batteries into solar panels at night)
• Our solar panels have potted (filled with silicone) junction boxes to protect the electronics from environmental damage. 
• Our rigid solar panels have strong anodized aluminum frames and marine grade sealants. 
• Our flexible and semi-rigid solar panels average the same output per area as our rigid panels and are constructed with high quality ETFE laminates that won't deteriorate (turn milky) or delaminate from intense heat and UV exposure.
• Our solar panels have a 5 year warranty on all of our flexible panels, a 5 year warranty on our semi-rigid panels and a 7 year warranty on our rigid panels.

Products ship day after payment domestically. Free shipping on orders over $250 applies to Lower 48 US states only. International takes longer. We do not add tariff charges. Call for pricing.