Hello!
I'm posting here after hours of bashing my head against the internet, along with a bunch of fruitless phone calls.
I live on a catamaran which has a 20 year old solar array (link:http://i.imgur.com/9qIAfJ3.jpg). The existing panels are supposed to be 51.0W, but in direct Florida sun I never see more than ~160W output for all 8 panels. My understanding is that this degradation is consistent with the age of the panels. Here is the spec label for them: http://i.imgur.com/VNKgmA2.jpg.
I'd like to replace the panels, but it would be ideal (i.e. much much easier and cheaper) if I could reuse the existing aluminum framing without cutting/welding. The problem is that the panels I've got are 38 15/16 in on the long side (988mm) and I can't find any manufacturer that makes a 12V solar panel thats less than 39 3/8".
I've looked through or talked to: Renogy, Sunpower, WindyNation and about 50 other Ebay listings and I can't find anything that will fit in the frame.
For the short side I'm less concerned - if the new panels are wider than the old ones I can just use 6 or 7 panels instead of 8.
Does anyone have any ideas on how/where I can get a 12V solar panel in the 50-200W range thats between 38 and 39" on the long side?
Thanks!!!
- Jordan
I'm posting here after hours of bashing my head against the internet, along with a bunch of fruitless phone calls.
I live on a catamaran which has a 20 year old solar array (link:http://i.imgur.com/9qIAfJ3.jpg). The existing panels are supposed to be 51.0W, but in direct Florida sun I never see more than ~160W output for all 8 panels. My understanding is that this degradation is consistent with the age of the panels. Here is the spec label for them: http://i.imgur.com/VNKgmA2.jpg.
I'd like to replace the panels, but it would be ideal (i.e. much much easier and cheaper) if I could reuse the existing aluminum framing without cutting/welding. The problem is that the panels I've got are 38 15/16 in on the long side (988mm) and I can't find any manufacturer that makes a 12V solar panel thats less than 39 3/8".
I've looked through or talked to: Renogy, Sunpower, WindyNation and about 50 other Ebay listings and I can't find anything that will fit in the frame.
For the short side I'm less concerned - if the new panels are wider than the old ones I can just use 6 or 7 panels instead of 8.
Does anyone have any ideas on how/where I can get a 12V solar panel in the 50-200W range thats between 38 and 39" on the long side?
Thanks!!!
- Jordan
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