Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel

The Eflex solar panel can charge most batteries (charge controller needed) and power stations. It is important to ensure that the open circuit voltage of the panel will not exceed the max DC input voltage rating of the powerstation or charge controller.

Solar panel performance may be hindered for a number of reasons. Most commonly environmental conditions such as indirect sunlight, temperature rise, cloudy sky, and dirt and stain build up on the top glass will cause a reduced power output.

Solar panels can be connected in series or in parallel to meet your electrical circuit size and power demand. Connecting solar panels in series will have the effect of adding up their operating voltage output, while system current output will be the same as that for one panel. While, connecting solar panels in parallel will have a different effect; individual panels operating current output will add up to be the system output current, while system output voltage will be the same as the output voltage of one solar panel. Please make sure the open circuit voltage of conected panel will not exceed Max DC input voltage of power station or controller.

The best way to gauge how many solar panels you need, is to understand and define the power load needed from this system. Power is measured in Watt, and capacity is commonly measured in Watt-hours (multiplying power output in watts by the required number of hours of operation multiplied by a safety factor of 1.5-2). Therefore, it is wise to size your battery bank first based on the minimum required capacity, and accordingly decide how many panels or how much power input is needed.