Walkable Van 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

Our SunPower monocrystalline cell flexible 55 - 145 watt high efficiency solar panels are manufactured to our specifications by highly acclaimed solar panel manufacturers. We have PERC cell panels as well for ~25% less cost, 1.5% less efficiency.Unique features of our premium flexible solar panels include the following:

• Quality materials - We use impermeable ETFE laminates that will not cloud of degrade with exposure to intense UV light. 
• Grade A+ SunPower solar cells -  The panels are comparable in performance to our rigid panels.
• Mounting flexibility - Flexible panels will contour and flex against curved surfaces with a maximum bending radius of 30 degrees, ideal for mounting on a van roof, low profile/windage, low weight. 
• Mounting options - Each panel can be affixed by high bond tape, snap, magnetic or screw mounting. Grommets are an added bonus for ease-of-installation.
• Plug and play - All flexible panels come with industry standard waterproof MC4 connectors on 3 foot (1 meter) long pigtails.
• Maximum output with shading - The panels are equipped with blocking and by-pass diodes so a shaded panel has minimal effect on the solar array performance.
• Purchase options - These panels can be purchased individually or as a complete easy to install kit.  
• Durable -  Although not recommended, the panels can be lightly stepped on if properly mounted.

Learn More About Flexible Solar Panels

CMP offers a series of semi-rigid walkable van solar panels.  With a strong aluminum backing and very thick ETFE laminate non skid surface, these panels can be walked on and can conform to a slightly curved surface (5 degrees).  These panels are ideal for mounting on a van roof as you can walk on them or sit on them (watch wildlife or car races or sunsets) without fear of damaging them. They are also super robust should anything fall on them or hit them. Many customer mount the walk on panels in their roof racks, they are plenty robust to have gear piled on top of them, dance or sit on them. We use premium SunPower Gen III solar cells with an efficiency rating of up to 23.7%, the highest efficiency available anywhere.  There is no glass and no aluminum frame so these panels are considerably lighter than our rigid panels but heavier and stiffer than our flexible panel series.  The expected life of these panels is 15 years.  The panels are available with a white or black backing.  They are available in 60, 110, 120, 150 and 175watt power output. Also as PERC cells, similar efficiency but ~25% less cost. 

Learn More About Semi-Rigid Solar Panels

The ideal van solar panel must be highly efficient (maximum output per surface area) and robust enough to withstand the harsh environments.  We offer various sizes and types of solar panels to meet the unique needs of our camper van customers.  For the live-in van with modest power requirements, we recommend our 110 - 140 watt panels and for the van with greater power requirements we recommend our 140 - 200 watt panels.​All CMP (Custom Marine Products) solar panels are high quality, high output Class A+ marine grade and backed with a 5 year manufacturers and CMP warranty.Our rigid glass monocrystalline solar panels using premium SunPower solar cells are some of the most efficient panels available at over 23% efficiency.  These marine grade solar panels will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  They are built to withstand the harsh environments.  When integrated with our Tracer BNor Xtra-N ​MPPT controller, this combination provides the highest output per sq. inch of any solar system available. 

Learn More About Rigid Solar Panels

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