THE AMAZING TOUGH SERIES SOLAR PANELS

VENE Test

In 2019 SUNBEAMsystem panels won the award of “Best Premium Solar Panel” by the Finnish Magazine VENE.

The test was very extensive and had many categories. And it worth highlighting our outstanding results on the heat test.
“Only 13% power drop measured at 75^oC compared to 25^oC”.

Also on the true measured Watt/m² test, we had great results. SUNBEAMsystem outstood all the competitors winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the test.

SEILAS Test

Norwegian Magazine Seilas made extensive testing of solar panels in the 50-watt class. The test was first published in June 2016.
Later on the magazine Praktiskt Båtliv (Practical Boating) published an article. They wrote the article based on the same measurements and conclusions.
The test focused on measuring electricity production in reality like test conditions. The test also included an estimation of physical qualities. And a comparison of the estimated lifetime.

In the end, they pronounced SUNBEAMsystem Tough 50W Flush Solar Panel as the “TEST WINNER”.

The Test Layout

The measurements consist the most of the electricity production in many real-life conditions. Such as cloudy weather, partial shadowing, and different solar angles.
Further on, the magazine also compared the construction and physical properties of the tested solar panels. Size and weight were also taken into account.

The magazine proposes that a 50W panel is suitable for keeping your batteries topped up. This is however followed up with the recommendation that most users will need 100W to keep up with their consumption on a modern yacht. They also tell the reader that in most cases it might be practical to use two 50W panels to reach the total recommended 100w.

General Recommendations

The test contains much useful information for those who want to learn more about electrical systems on a yacht with a focus on solar panels. It was also mentioned that ordinary lead-acid batteries are difficult to charge over 80% of their capacity with an engine alternator. To be able to top up and use the final 20% of the battery capacity, you’ll need solar panels (or a shore power charger).

You will also find a discussion about what to consider when purchasing a solar panel. An external expert advises against solar panels with a metal backside or with bad junction boxes. The reason for this is that it might cause future water ingression in the solar panel.

Comparison of external features

When comparing the physical properties the Magazine’s favorite is the SUNBEAMsystem solar panel. Due to its tiny size and weight, the smallest of them all. This is important because it makes it a lot easier to find a space for the fitting of the panel.

The paper also made a note that all the other panels equipped with a junction box are prone to water ingress. SUNBEAMsystem’s unique flat Flush cable completely lacks a connection box which is in fact, a big advantage.

Electricity Production

The core of the test was extensive in-reality measurements during several types of conditions. They measure for; maximum power, power after sunrise, power in the morning, and power at noon. Then repeated during cloudy weather with sunrise, morning, and noon measurements.

A comparison of the produced power while being under partial shadow was also made.

In the power production test, SUNBEAMsystem solar panels were the overall test winner.

Best in test

To summarize: they pronounced the SUNBEAMsystem Tough Flush 50W solar panel as the test winner. And the test board only had one minor complaint. Which was that the panel has got a slightly higher price compared to the tested budget panel alternative.

Read the article in full here.

Båtliv Test

In the Swedish yacht magazine Båtliv number 2/2016, SUNBEAMsystem was tested and compared to other options.

Efficiency

The newspaper notes that SUNBEAMsystem’s “Marine panels with the latest technology” had the highest efficiency in the comparison.

The tests were conducted in Stockholm, Sweden (59^oN) at solar radiation of approximately 800W / m2 had the following result

We at SUNBEAMsystem conclude that the magazine’s measurements provide efficiency of our solar panels ranging from 21.25% to 23.75%. That is an average of 22.5%.

Installation Advantages

The Magazine upgraded two boats. Boat number one previously had a solid solar panel with a glass front and aluminum frame. Boat number two had a thinner solar panel with traditional cells and a protective stainless steel sheet on the back that was needed to protect the older type of fragile cells.

On boat #1 the magazine installed 2 x SUNBEAMsystem 30W (60W in total). It increased the total power by 17% utilizing the same surface area. There was a significant weight saved, 4.8kg compared with previous solar panels. In fact, the minimal size enabled the installation of a 2x30W SUNBEAMsystem on a surface that before could not fit the older type solar panels. Hence multiplying the total installed wattage.

Boat #2 got upgraded with 2 x SUNBEAMsystem 30W. As a result, an increase of 20% compared to the previous installation. The junction box free installation was very much appreciated by the owner

SUNBEAMsystem notes that the sample boats on average increased the installed wattage by 18.5% by replacing the old solar panels. We also note benefits for the owners such as no junction box to stumble upon. As well as avoiding ugly cables along the deck. There was also a significant weight loss for both boats.

Output in the Swedish reality

On boat #1 with a combined swivel and horizontal mounting, they extensively measure it over the summer. They revealed a good effect in all the different conditions that we suffer during a Nordic summer. During normal sunny conditions, the main production was about 7.5A corresponding to 106.5 watts. This result is 89% of the normative effect, a much higher value than traditional panels usually produce.

To complete the test of 30W panels fitted on the two boats. The newspaper also did tests on dry land including two other sizes. SUNBEAMsystem 50W (Part No. SP50) And SUNBEAMsystem 60W (Art No SP60-12v). In this test, the air temperature was about 20 degrees Celsius, relative humidity 48%. The solar panel exposure was straight at the sun at the peak of the day. To verify all values, they conducted the tests 4 times with 4 independent measuring instruments. In the table below is the highest observed effects (Wp):

You can found the original article in the Yacht magazine Båtliv No. 2 2016. www.Batliv.se here

Read here an article about the test.