Technical Guides

Looking for a sun powered charging solution?

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With solar panels from our range you can easily generate your own energy. With the stored energy it is possible to supply various devices with energy. A solar panel needs UV radiation to generate electrical energy. It is important to orientate the solar panel to the sun as much as possible. Of course, this is not always possible. The sun is highest in the middle of the day. In these hours (from 11:00 to 15:00) the conditions to generate energy are often best. The period before and after are less optimal but then energy is still generated. Contrary to what the name suggests, a solar panel also delivers energy in daylight, which is why they are often used. Of course, this also depends on the season in the winter period the yield is minimal. That is why we also see that systems that have to perform in the winter like along the highway are at an inclination of 68 degrees. Under that angle the yield in the 4 winter months is the best. The amount of energy that can be generated depends not only on the above-mentioned properties but also on the Watt peak power of the panel and the efficiency of the solar cells and the very important charge controller used. For example, the so-called MPPT charge regulator supplies significantly more energy than the standard solar charge regulator. By using an MPPT solar charge controller, up to 25% more energy is generated from the same panel.

How to determine the best solution

To determine the best solution, a number of factors are important:

Which devices do you want to supply with energy and how much energy will be consumed?

By finding out how much energy a certain device consumes, you can determine how much energy needs to be generated on average on a daily basis via the solar panel system.

How much energy should be generated and how much power do I need?

A solar panel has a certain power that is indicated in Watt peak (Wp). During normal sunny conditions, an average of about 70% of the maximum power can be generated. As an example: A 185 W solar panel, will be able to generate an average of 130 Wh (70% of 185 Watt peak) of energy per hour. As conditions vary throughout the day, the energy yield will fluctuate. On a normal slightly cloudy day in summer, you can assume that over a whole day (8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) an average of 7 out of 11 hours of energy can be generated efficiently. It is then possible to generate about 810 Wh of energy (7 x 130 Wh). Based on this you can determine if the consumption coverage by the Wo solar panels is too little or too much.

Where are you going to generate the solar energy and which factors influence the amount of energy generated?

In order to tailor the panel as much as possible to your needs, the situation in which energy is generated will also be important. If you are camping or lying in the marina, you will have to deal with the influence of shade, for example. In these situations, the amount of energy that can be generated will probably be less. When it is clear which devices you would like to supply with energy and in which situation, it can be determined which panel of power with the corresponding charge controller fits best.
On this website it is possible to calculate a pv panel system. This can be done in the menu under off-grid. Then you can fill in the location, inclination and orientation and calculate the battery capacity what you can expect from the panel system.

What is the best way to use the energy?

The energy you generate via a solar panel can be stored in a battery. This way you can supply your phone, tablet and other devices with energy and even an inverter at any desired location. The inverter ensures that 230V is made and standard household appliances, tools etc. can be used. This makes it possible to even make coffee.

The solar panels:

We have different types of panels in our range:

  • The panels with glass, in a range of 185Wp - 305Wp, depending on the application we choose on power, dimensions and how it should be attached. In addition, aesthetics are sometimes important, then an entirely black panel is often chosen.
  • Foil also called adhesive panels. These are used if the panels with glass cannot be used, or if it must be possible to walk over the panels or if the thickness of the panel is important.

A suitable panel for every application

For the installation of the panels we supply so-called mounting corners or strips. These are glued to a deck or roof. In addition, there is the roof lead-through to lead the cable from the panels inside. Not unimportant is the solar charge regulator which ensures that the power from the panel is regulated in such a way that the battery is properly charged. For example, we have the PWM Suntrack 10, which can charge up to 10 amps. This is suitable for panels up to 140 Wp. For larger panels up to 260 Wp, the Suntrack 20 can be used. If the panel gets bigger or if it is important to get the most out of the panel, choose the MPPT solar charging regulator such as the Suntrack Duo de 50 or the PRO. The 50 is an MPPT charge regulator that is suitable for 12,24,36 and 48 Volt battery systems. The Duo is next to an MPPT regulator also the possibility to connect the starter battery to the household (service) battery set. During charging of the starter battery by the alternator, the service battery will also be charged. The Pro version is suitable for larger solar panel systems and has the possibility to be connected to the so-called Whisper Power connect bus so that specific data is available in an extended Whisper Power touch screen and even remotely.

Your System

Take a look at our website where you can also find the datasheets and manuals. Of course, we and our dealers will be happy to help you with the correct composition of your solar charging system. So you can also make optimal use of the sun’s energy.