Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

kenbw2 · 2022-10-13 21:32:00

I frustratingly left the temporary protective film on the 200W panel I've had for 2 years and the film has degraded and bonded with the panel itself and become almost impossible to remove

And with the days drawing in I'm not getting enough solar to be self sufficient. So I've upgraded to 2x 130W panels from Amazon

Only needed a bit of adjustment to my mountings (even if the extra wires are a bit untidy) to make space for them and they work a treat

In the full sun the other day I was able to get

50W from the 1x 200W panel
100W from the 2x 130W panels

Worthy upgrade!

Last edited by kenbw2 (2022-10-13 21:35:00)

Casper · 2022-10-13 23:09:45

I know a plumbers tube is not the best looking thing in the world but cant you make something like to hide them wired in. They are just asking for some shit to be yanking at them.

OAT · 2022-10-14 03:19:43

I would be worried about those cables too. Narrow lanes with overhanging trees?

So there might be a tatty 200W going cheap?

kenbw2 · 2022-10-14 12:28:16

Yea I plan to tidy up the cables, they're a bit of a mess. I'm thinking about using something more compact than the chunky MC4 connectors. Not sure yet

200W panel is gonna sit on the ground and be a boost for when I'm more static

OAT · 2022-10-14 19:40:21

kenbw2 wrote:

Yea I plan to tidy up the cables, they're a bit of a mess. I'm thinking about using something more compact than the chunky MC4 connectors. Not sure yet
200W panel is gonna sit on the ground and be a boost for when I'm more static

Good idea. Get a decent length lead and on hot days it would allow for parking in the shade too. An underestimated advantage I think.

JohnDragonMan · 2022-10-15 01:35:54

i highly recommend corrugated pipe trunking. geez it works well for tidying cables.

as for the 200w panel going a umm dull.. hit it with a dual action polisher and T cut. go over it all over evenly, wash it off then see how its come out. if it needs hitting again, hit it again.
ive bought really cheap and even had given to me no end of "dead" flexi panels and made them look like new again.

kenbw2 · 2022-10-15 15:22:16

Yea I was thinking of polishing it up, I bet it would come up clear again and get that +50% back

Glad to have new ones on the roof though, I was struggling for power last week

LeoMaath · 2024-01-14 00:05:49

I have 3 x 130 W flexible panels bolted to another with M3 screws. I will change the MC4 connector (and wire overlength) to big Faston connectors in shrink sleeve to tidy up.

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#1 2022-10-13 21:32:00

Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#2 2022-10-13 23:09:45

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#3 2022-10-14 03:19:43

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#4 2022-10-14 12:28:16

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#5 2022-10-14 19:40:21

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#6 2022-10-15 01:35:54

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#7 2022-10-15 15:22:16

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

#8 2024-01-14 00:05:49

Re: Solar upgrade to 2x 130W flexible panels

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