Marine Grade Solar Panels / PV Panels
Pole Mounted 90 Watt Solar Panel with Integrated Hoist
We provide complete marine solar systems including solar panels, electronic controller and mounting hardware for your boat. Our solar panels are build to our specifications for the marine environment and our mounting hardware is robust and made in the USA.
The ideal solar panel for mounting on a pole must be highly efficient, nearly square in shape and robust enough to withstand the harsh marine environment. We offer three solar panels that are built to our specifications for the marine environment. For the cruising boat with modest power requirements, we recommend our 90 watt polycrystalline panel and for the cruising boat with greater power requirements we recommend our 130 watt monocrystalline panel or our new 140 watt polycrystalline panel. These panels are excellent for mounting on a pole or a bimini frame. All CMP (Custom Marine Products) solar panels are high quality Class A marine grade and backed with a 10 year manufacturers and CMP warranty.
We have developed easy to assemble top-of-pole mounting kits specific to each of our CMP panels.
Matching your solar panel to your charge controller can greatly increase the system charging ability, reducing battery charge time and increasing battery life. Our complete solar panel kit provides everything you need to install and operate a marine solar system; solar panel, pole mounting assembly, charge controller, wire and instruction manual.
The ideal solar panel for mounting on a pole must be highly efficient, nearly square in shape and robust enough to withstand the harsh marine environment. We offer three solar panels that are built to our specifications for the marine environment. For the cruising boat with modest power requirements, we recommend our 90 watt polycrystalline panel and for the cruising boat with greater power requirements we recommend our 130 watt monocrystalline panel or our new 140 watt polycrystalline panel. These panels are excellent for mounting on a pole or a bimini frame. All CMP (Custom Marine Products) solar panels are high quality Class A marine grade and backed with a 10 year manufacturers and CMP warranty.
We have developed easy to assemble top-of-pole mounting kits specific to each of our CMP panels.
Matching your solar panel to your charge controller can greatly increase the system charging ability, reducing battery charge time and increasing battery life. Our complete solar panel kit provides everything you need to install and operate a marine solar system; solar panel, pole mounting assembly, charge controller, wire and instruction manual.
90 Watt Solar Panel
Our 90 watt polycrystalline
solar panel is one of the most efficient panels available at 16+% efficiency and will perform well in both full and partial sun. Ideal for top-of-pole mounting in a 12 volt system. Specifications: Panel Type Class A Polycrystalline Rated Power 90 Watts Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp) 18.0 Volts Peak Power Amps (Impp) 5.5 Amps Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 21.2 Volts Short Circuit Current (Isc) 5.0 Amps Manufacturers Warranty 10 Years Dimensions (inches) 26.38" x 39.37" Weight (pounds) 18 pounds Output Connections: MC4 Note: This panel is comparable in performance and size to the Kyocera KC85T (an old favorite of ours) which is discussed on our Blog. The KC85T and KC85TS are no longer manufactured. |
140 Watt Solar Panel
Our 140 watt polycrystalline solar panel uses the same technology as our popular 90 watt panel, is 16+% efficient and will perform well in both full and partial sun. Its square shape is ideal for a top-of-pole mounting in a 12 volt system.
Specifications: Panel Type Class A Polycrystalline Rated Power 140 Watts Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp) 18.2 Volts Peak Power Amps (Impp) 7.7 Amps Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 22.0 Volts Short Circuit Current (Isc) 8.25 Amps Manufacturers Warranty 10 Years Dimensions (inches) 39.5" x 39" Weight (pounds) 26.5 pounds Output Connections: MC4 |
130 Watt Solar Panel
Our 130 watt monocrystalline solar panel is rated at 16.5% efficiency. You will be impressed by the output in full sun as well as its performance in partial sun. This panel is well suited for top-of-pole mounting in a 12 volt system.
Specifications: Panel Type Class A Monocrystaline Rated Power 130 Watts Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp) 17.6 Volts Peak Power Amps (Impp) 7.7 Amps Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 21.8 Volts Short Circuit Current (Isc) 8.86 Amps Manufacturers Warranty 10 Years Dimensions (inches) 31.52 "x 49" Weight (pounds) 24 pounds Output Connections: MC4 |
90 Watt Solar Panel
Marine grade Class A polycrystalline high output solar panel
$ 449.00 |
140 Watt Solar Panel
Marine grade Class A polycrystalline high output solar panel
$ 645.00 |
130 Watt Solar Panel
Marine grade Class A monocrystalline high output solar panel
$ 645.00 |
A Few Facts About Solar Panels / PV Panels
140 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel
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 will degrade faster on cloudy days. Polycrystalline panels tend to have a slightly lower output per square inch in direct sun but are not as sensitive to being shaded and output will not degrade as much on cloudy days. We recommend polycrystalline panels in northern areas where cloud cover is common and monocrystalline panels in areas of consistent sun. It is important to note that today's newer high quality polycrystalline panels perform within .5% of monocrystalline panels in full sun.
Panel Crystal Quality - Because boats have a relatively confined space, maximum output per square inch is very important. The quality of the silicon crystals used in solar panels is a key factor in determining the panel output. Crystals are passed under a fixed light and graded as to their output (1-10). Grades are grouped into classes. Class A crystals are grades 8-10, Class B crystals are grades 4-7 and so on. Crystal quality follows a bell curve; there are many more Class B crystals than Class A. We at CMP specify only the best Class A-9 crystals for use in our panels which results in a panel efficiency in excess of 16.5%. 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 marine solar panels often out perform the performance rating on the panel label.
Panel Shape - The largest market for solar panels is commercial applications where many many panels are mounted on a roof or in a field. These panels are usually rectangular in shape often twice as long as wide. This shape is often not ideal for marine application. Often a more square shape is preferable, especially for pole mounting.
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 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 to protect the electronic components.
Choosing the right panel for your needs will require study and/or discussion with PV panel experts.
Panel Crystal Quality - Because boats have a relatively confined space, maximum output per square inch is very important. The quality of the silicon crystals used in solar panels is a key factor in determining the panel output. Crystals are passed under a fixed light and graded as to their output (1-10). Grades are grouped into classes. Class A crystals are grades 8-10, Class B crystals are grades 4-7 and so on. Crystal quality follows a bell curve; there are many more Class B crystals than Class A. We at CMP specify only the best Class A-9 crystals for use in our panels which results in a panel efficiency in excess of 16.5%. 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 marine solar panels often out perform the performance rating on the panel label.
Panel Shape - The largest market for solar panels is commercial applications where many many panels are mounted on a roof or in a field. These panels are usually rectangular in shape often twice as long as wide. This shape is often not ideal for marine application. Often a more square shape is preferable, especially for pole mounting.
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 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 to protect the electronic components.
Choosing the right panel for your needs will require study and/or discussion with PV panel experts.
What size of solar panel do you need?
Twin 90 Watt Solar Panels
The amount of power needed while cruising
depends on many factors including the energy used by appliances and
lighting, the output of the engine alternator, the climate and the
length of time away from shore power. These and other factors will
determine the amount of solar power and thus size of the solar panel(s)
you may need.
Working with Ed Foster of foster-wills.com, we have developed a worksheet to assist you in analyzing your on board power generation and consumption and estimating you solar power requirement. Print out our Solar Power Calculation Worksheet and use it as a guide to calculate your power generation requirement.
Working with Ed Foster of foster-wills.com, we have developed a worksheet to assist you in analyzing your on board power generation and consumption and estimating you solar power requirement. Print out our Solar Power Calculation Worksheet and use it as a guide to calculate your power generation requirement.
