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Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
Item# 121130
High-wattage solar panel works in sunny and cloudy conditions. Thanks to double junction technology, this panel is more efficient and wears out less over time, meaning you get more power for a longer time. Comes with an 8.5 Amp Sunforce ProSeries Charge Controller with pulse width modulation to speed up charging rate by up to 20% and maintain battery health. Product Style: Panel/charge contoller combo, Watts: 50, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 49 x 25 x 2, Panels (qty.): 1, Material: Glass with aluminum frame, Battery Included: No, Battery Type: 12V Generate power for homes, boats, RVs, back up and remote power use High efficiency amorphous solar panel charges in all daylight conditions, even on cloudy days - ideal for all locations Fully weatherproof - can be used anywhere Rugged aluminum frame and shatterproof tempered glass for extended outdoor use Easy do-it-yourself installation - no need for professional installation Maintenance-free Includes charge controller for battery protection; protects batteries from overcharge and discharge
Questions & Answers for Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
Question
Different names of solar pannels.
Good, better, best.
What is the difference in the performance and longevity of
Monocrystalline
Cigs
Crystaline
Polycrystalline
Differences in warranty?
What is the difference in the performance and longevity of
Monocrystalline
Cigs
Crystaline
Polycrystalline
Differences in warranty?
asked 1 year, 9 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Funky
- Houston Tx
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Basically we are looking at two different types of panels. The first is crystaline. crystaline panels are broken into two categories: Monocrystaline and Polycrystaline.
Monocrystalline cells are cut from a chunk of silicon that has been grown from a single crystal. Monocrystalline cells offer the most efficiency, and are typically the most expensive.
Polycrystalline cells are cut from multifaceted silicon crystals and due to the flaws in the crystal generally require more surface area to generate the same amount of current. Polycrystalline cells have a look to them that is like shattered glass.
While Monocrystalline cells are the most efficient, the technology of polycrystalline cells has come a long way and the performance gap between the two has narrowed quite a bit. The lifespan is similar when comparing the two. It is reasonable to expect 25+ years of service from a crystalline cell.
Cigs (copper indium gallium selenide) cells are "thin film cells" and are typically not as efficient as crystalline cells. They are used in many portable and "roll up" applications. The lifespan of a Cigs cell is typically about half of what could be expected with a crystalline cell.
Typically there is a longer warranty on crystalline panels because the applications that they are used in are usually less destructive to the material. The differences in warranty are due not only to the type of material and construction of a given panel, but also due to manufacturer preference, so the warranty should be evaluated on each individual panel.
All of this taken into consideration the rating of a given panel (in watts) can be compared apples to apples. For example any panel that provides 50 Watts is making more power than any other kind of panel that provides 25 Watts. The difference that you will see however is that a Monocrystalline panel that is producing the same wattage as a polycrystalline panel will typically be smaller in size and a Cigs panel will be larger than either.
Monocrystalline cells are cut from a chunk of silicon that has been grown from a single crystal. Monocrystalline cells offer the most efficiency, and are typically the most expensive.
Polycrystalline cells are cut from multifaceted silicon crystals and due to the flaws in the crystal generally require more surface area to generate the same amount of current. Polycrystalline cells have a look to them that is like shattered glass.
While Monocrystalline cells are the most efficient, the technology of polycrystalline cells has come a long way and the performance gap between the two has narrowed quite a bit. The lifespan is similar when comparing the two. It is reasonable to expect 25+ years of service from a crystalline cell.
Cigs (copper indium gallium selenide) cells are "thin film cells" and are typically not as efficient as crystalline cells. They are used in many portable and "roll up" applications. The lifespan of a Cigs cell is typically about half of what could be expected with a crystalline cell.
Typically there is a longer warranty on crystalline panels because the applications that they are used in are usually less destructive to the material. The differences in warranty are due not only to the type of material and construction of a given panel, but also due to manufacturer preference, so the warranty should be evaluated on each individual panel.
All of this taken into consideration the rating of a given panel (in watts) can be compared apples to apples. For example any panel that provides 50 Watts is making more power than any other kind of panel that provides 25 Watts. The difference that you will see however is that a Monocrystalline panel that is producing the same wattage as a polycrystalline panel will typically be smaller in size and a Cigs panel will be larger than either.
answered 1 year, 9 months ago
by
ProductExpert13
+6points
6out of 6found this answer helpful.
answer 2
The crystalline panel's output drop when they get hot. If possible it is better to mount them on a pole or other rack so they get plenty of airflow. Sitting on your roof on a rack or rails they will still heat up. However thin film panels are not affected by the heat so the will produce more when they are hot. They are bigger in size though. Sometimes the thin film will tolerate shading better. It is very important that all of the panels be in the sun, partial shading on part of the array (multiple panels hooked together) will severely reduce the output of the whole array.
answered 8 months ago
by
Frisbeeman
- Dayton, Ohio
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
does it include wireing to hook to a battery
asked 1 year, 2 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
RJMan
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
rayt
- New Hampshire
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
Yes. The Sunforce Amorphous Solar panel does come with the wiring to hook to a battery.
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
ProductExpert26
+2points
2out of 2found this answer helpful.
Question
Is there a top and bottom?
Meaning, can this panel be utilized to track the sun, and so slowly flip from morning to midday to afternoon? Does a top bottom orientation affect the efficacy of the panel?
Products related to my question
asked 8 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Anonymous
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
The orientation of the panel will not matter when installing. Northern Tool currently does not sell anything that would allow it to "track" the sun.
answered 8 months ago
by
ProductExpert29
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
answer 2
For best results the panel should face due South plus or minus 15 degrees, North if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.
Most panels use some sort of metal clips to hold them down to a rail of some sort. This one may have a separate stand that you can get to mount it to. I'm not sure how they want it mounted. They may have an instruction sheet you can look at or download to see how it's done.
For decent solar collection the panel should be angled up at the same Latitude where the panel is located. For me in Dayton I would mount it at about 40 -45 degrees tilt. In the summertime I would lay it back to about 30 degrees since the sun is higher in the sky and tilt it up more in the winter to about 15 degrees.
Most panels use some sort of metal clips to hold them down to a rail of some sort. This one may have a separate stand that you can get to mount it to. I'm not sure how they want it mounted. They may have an instruction sheet you can look at or download to see how it's done.
For decent solar collection the panel should be angled up at the same Latitude where the panel is located. For me in Dayton I would mount it at about 40 -45 degrees tilt. In the summertime I would lay it back to about 30 degrees since the sun is higher in the sky and tilt it up more in the winter to about 15 degrees.
answered 8 months ago
by
Frisbeeman
- Dayton, Ohio
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
Will This Charge 4 12 volt batteries
asked 1 year, 10 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Soul3
+2points
2out of 2found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
Yes, with the appropriate wiring through an electronics specialist, and a charge controller this will charge 4-12 volt batteries, the batteries will need to be wired in parallel.
Please see my product recommendations listed below...
Please see my product recommendations listed below...
Products from my answer
Sunforce 30 Amp Digital Charge Controller, Model# 60032
(21)answered 1 year, 9 months ago
by
ProductExpert11
+2points
2out of 2found this answer helpful.
Question
what would i need with this to charge Xantrex XPower Portable Powerpack 1500?
asked 1 year, 8 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Anonymous
- mi
-1point
0out of 1found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
To charge the xpower unit with this panel you would need to wire a 12volt cigarette lighter adapter to this panel and use the 12 volt vehicle charging plug that comes with the xpower.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago
by
ProductExpert13
0points
0out of 0found this answer helpful.
Question
What is the voltage rating?
asked 1 year, 4 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Shavanoside
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
The Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel - 50 Watt, Model# 50043 is rated at 3.3 amps @ 15 volts.
answered 1 year, 4 months ago
by
ProductExpert27
+2points
2out of 2found this answer helpful.
Question
can I leave this panel connected while running my generator or hooked to shore power?
asked 1 year, 3 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Anonymous
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
Yes. You should leave it connected in order to maintain you battery(ies).
answered 1 year, 3 months ago
by
ProductExpert27
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.
Question
Is this a 12 volt or 24 volt panel?
Products related to my question
asked 1 year, 2 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
synner
- Colorado
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
This is a 12 volt solar panel.
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
ProductExpert5
+2points
2out of 2found this answer helpful.
Question
How many of these panels can be hooked together through a 30 amp controller to a 12 volt battery bank
asked 1 year, 2 months ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Anonymous
+1point
1out of 1found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
You will be able to attach 7 of the Sunforce 50 watt solar panels through your 30 amp charge controller, each panel will produce approximately 4 amps.
answered 1 year, 2 months ago
by
ProductExpert11
+4points
4out of 4found this answer helpful.
Question
can this solar panel be mounted to the roof of my rv
asked 1 year, 1 month ago on Sunforce Amorphous Solar Panel/Charge Controller Combo - 50 Watt, Model# 50043
by
Anonymous
0points
0out of 0found this question helpful.
1 answer
Answers
answer 1
This solar panel can be mounted on your RV, however, you will need to remove the solar panel while your RV is in motion, otherwise you void the warranty.
answered 1 year, 1 month ago
by
ProductExpert5
+1point
1out of 1found this answer helpful.