The solar energy panel is the backbone of any solar energy project. Without it, the solar charge controller, solar inverter, control panel and appliance and devices hooked to the solar grid are useless. Obviously, with different solar panel output needs and requirements, many different size solar panels have emerged. It’s worth noting that Sharp’s solar panels are among the most popular selling. Let’s take a quick look at some typical solar energy panel sizes, applications and specs.
A 5w solar panel ($30 – $50 and available from “NOWER” on Amazon.com) will produce 17 volts of peak voltage at .3 amps. This size solar energy panel is ideal for trickle charging your batteries or other devices requiring a small amount of solar power.
Typical measurements for a 5w solar panel are about 11 x 7 inches and 7 or 8 inches of depth for the angled stand. Typical applications satisfied customers have reported using are – gate opener running on 12v battery (in parallel), 2 ventilation fans in a crawl space, small boat battery and home weather station. Most 5w solar panels can be hooked in parallel, but double-check with the manufacturer first.
Many 15 watt solar panel ($60 – $100) manufacturers include a plug that fits your vehicle’s 12-volt lighter socket, since this is the perfect size to power a car battery. Available from solar retailer “SunForce” on Amazon.com, a solar charge controller is recommended so as not to overcharge your battery, and a typical size for this panel is around 42 x 12 x 3 inches for the stand.
Perfect for all 12 volt battery applications, the versatile 15 watt solar panel can find many uses on the farm and around the house. Max solar panel output is 15 watts, but peak surge is usually around 1 amp at 15 to 20 volts. This solar energy panel can be hooked in parallel, allowing you to add power as needed.
At around $200 to $250 and available from “TOP” and “AZM” on Amazon.com, a 45 watt solar panel kit varies in price due to the number of components you desire. Some kits come as complete solar panels, charge indicators, power inverter and wiring, while others carry just the panels. Generally three 15 w solar energy panel components are wired in parallel, many kits contain 3, 6, 9 and 12 volt dc adapters and extras such as battery clamps amps and 12 volt sockets.
Roughly one meter square, and a foot deep with the stand opened, the max solar panel output of most 45 watt solar panel kits is roughly 2.5 amps at about 20 volts. Perfect for TVs, lights, computers and similar sized items, this is a good mid-sized panel kit, when used with a solar charge controller, can also trickle charge a 12 v battery. Some kits are made to be self-supporting, and can not run in parallel, check your specs to verify.
