I've been wanting to add a modern, lighter and more shade tolerant panel to my older FWC. Mine came w/ the 100 watt Zamp panel. Overland's panels look great, but are higher voltage.
I found Sol-Go, who use the same cells as Overland, and their datasheet lists the specs as basically a match to my existing Zamp panel. I thought problem solved.
BUT.. after some investigation and a bunch of emails w/ Sol-Go and the vendors, I have determined both US vendors have an older batch of panels which are a couple volts lower on average than what their datasheet specifies, and so are a couple volts lower than my Zamp panel.
Sol-Go says their new panels, which are in their warehouse in SoCal, match the datasheet. But they will only sell pallets of 30 panels.
From what I can tell, the benefits of the Overland panels are mostly due to the new solar cells they're using, so this sol-go should be equivalent. They're just 115 watt, vs Overland's 160. But, they match our older FWC's existing panel, so can simply be added in parallel.
Maybe I'm putting way too much effort into saving my existing Zamp panel..
But basically, I'm wondering if there are others wanting to add panels to an older FWC w/ existing Zamp? Maybe I could buy the pallet of 30 and organize a group buy. (I can cover the up-front costs, but would want to know I can sell most of them).
Anyone interested?
https://www.sol-go.com/uploads/9/3/5/8/93589840/115w_class_-_datasheet_q3_2020.pdf
I haven't asked for a price for the pallet, but vendors sell the panels for about $200.
This shows the actual specs of the older batch of panels which are available from the two US vendors. (Verified by Sol-Go)
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2132/8055/products/Sol-Go-115S-Electrical-Label-Boss-Watt-Flexible-Power-SunPower_540x.jpg?v=1587959501
I found Sol-Go, who use the same cells as Overland, and their datasheet lists the specs as basically a match to my existing Zamp panel. I thought problem solved.
BUT.. after some investigation and a bunch of emails w/ Sol-Go and the vendors, I have determined both US vendors have an older batch of panels which are a couple volts lower on average than what their datasheet specifies, and so are a couple volts lower than my Zamp panel.
Sol-Go says their new panels, which are in their warehouse in SoCal, match the datasheet. But they will only sell pallets of 30 panels.
From what I can tell, the benefits of the Overland panels are mostly due to the new solar cells they're using, so this sol-go should be equivalent. They're just 115 watt, vs Overland's 160. But, they match our older FWC's existing panel, so can simply be added in parallel.
Maybe I'm putting way too much effort into saving my existing Zamp panel..
But basically, I'm wondering if there are others wanting to add panels to an older FWC w/ existing Zamp? Maybe I could buy the pallet of 30 and organize a group buy. (I can cover the up-front costs, but would want to know I can sell most of them).
Anyone interested?
https://www.sol-go.com/uploads/9/3/5/8/93589840/115w_class_-_datasheet_q3_2020.pdf
I haven't asked for a price for the pallet, but vendors sell the panels for about $200.
This shows the actual specs of the older batch of panels which are available from the two US vendors. (Verified by Sol-Go)
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2132/8055/products/Sol-Go-115S-Electrical-Label-Boss-Watt-Flexible-Power-SunPower_540x.jpg?v=1587959501