160W (80W+80W) 12V Reinforced narrow semi-flexible solar charging kit

This high efficiency semi-flexible 160W (80W + 80W) solar panel kit is perfect for permanent outdoor use to provide free electricity for charging 12V batteries to power various applications, such as in a motorhome, caravan, camper, boat, or for solar lighting systems, off-grid and back up solar power systems.

Solar kit includes:

• 2 x 80W reinforced narrow semi-flexible solar panels with a durable ETFE coating
• 20A automatic solar charge controller with advanced connectivity options
• A pair of 5m 4mm single core solar extension cables with MC4 connectors
• 5m of 4.0mm double core battery cable fitted with a 15A fuse, fuse holder and 8mm ring terminals
• A pair of T-branch MC4 connectors, for connecting the panels in parallel

2 x 80W Reinforced narrow semi-flexible solar panels:

These reinforced semi-flexible solar panels have a unique 7-layer construction, featuring an embedded sheet of anodised aluminium fully encapsulated within each solar panel. This additional reinforcement offers greater strength and resilience, making them amongst the most robust semi-flexible solar panels available on the market.

In addition to the aluminium reinforcement, the surface of these 80W semi-flexible solar panels is made of strong ETFE material which has a longer service life compared to standard semi-flexible solar panels. As a result, these particular semi-flexible solar panels are extremely hard-wearing and less prone to cracking , delamination and corrosion. The lightly textured coating of these panels creates an anti-reflective surface which allows the panels to absorb a far greater amount of light, thereby increasing efficiency. ETFE material has long been used in applications where durability and high-temperature resistance is required, such as in the Eden Project, Cornwall. You can read more about ETFE and its benefits here.

These panels also feature innovative 5 busbar solar cells, which are more efficient than the 2, 3 or 4 busbar solar cells used in most other solar panels, and are able to extract more power from the same surface area.

The semi-flexible design of these panels makes them ideal for curved roofs and surfaces where bonding is preferable (though the panels can also be fixed by bolts or screws). The panels are also incredibly light (only 3.05kg each) which makes them an ideal option for all vehicle applications. The unique narrow design also make them ideal for applications where space is restricted, or where there are obstructions on the roof. The panels are also highly resistant to salt water environments and it is also possible to walk on the panels, making them the perfect choice for boats and yachts.

The panels are fitted with 2 x 1m of cable with MC4 connectors on the end.

20A Solar charge controller:

The kit includes a 20A 12V/24V Photonic Universe solar charge controller designed to protect batteries whilst charging them, with automatic cut off to prevent over-charging and deep discharge. The controller uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology which increases charge acceptance and prolongs the life of your battery. Often PWM technology can recover some lost battery capacity.

This controller stops reverse current at night (from the battery back to the solar panel) so your battery won't lose any charge. It has many other protection functions such as over charge / discharge, over load, short circuit, overheating etc. Other features of this controller include LED indicators, temperature sensor, and a load "on/off" button.

This controller can work with sealed, gel and flooded batteries (the default is sealed) or a user-defined battery type (please note battery type can only be changed from default using one of the communication methods listed below). The controller can accept up to 320W (12V battery) / 640W (24V battery) of solar power input, which makes it ideal for future systm expansion.

The solar charge controller also features advanced communication technology, which offers the user the opportunity to monitor and program parameters for the solar charge controller through various methods:

1) The controller can be connected to a remote meter MT50 with an LCD screen, which displays system performance information, and allows the user to manually adjust parameters and load settings

2) The controller can be connected to a Wi-Fi module to create a Wi-Fi network, to which your mobile phone or tablet can connect, in order to monitor or adjust charging parameters and controller settings through a free mobile app - Solar Station Monitor (available for Android and iOS users).

3) An RJ45 to USB cable can be used to connect the controller directly to your PC / laptop, where parameters and settings can be monitored and adjusted via a free computer program - Solar Station Monitor (Windows-based PCs and laptops only).

Using one of these communication methods, the user will gain access to various charging parameters such as voltage, current (separately for solar panel / load), battery state of charge, accumulated charge and discharge energy, min/max voltage and other information. If required the user will also be able to amend the battery type and capacity, set charging volts for different charging stages, specify the duration of each charging stage, create a user-defined battery type with charging parameters specific to their battery (if the pre-existing options are unsuitable), personalise the 'load' settings (e.g. set timers for lighting, fans, pumps) and more.

In addition to the built-in temperature sensor, the controller has a pair of terminals for connecting a remote temperature sensor, which can be attached directly to the battery to measure the battery temperature more precisely and optimise the charging process.

Additional items:

The kit includes 5m positive and negative 4.0mm solar extension leads for connecting the solar panels to the solar charge controller, and a 5m 4.0mm dual core battery cable fitted with a 15A fuse, fuse holder and 8mm ring terminals for use between the solar charge controller and your battery, making the total cable length between the solar panels and the battery 1m + 5m + 5m = 11m.

A pair of T-branch MC4 connectors is also provided, in order to connect these panels in parallel (Click on the Installation tab for further details).

Click on the Details and Specifications tab for more information

 Specifications (per solar panel):

• Peak power: 80W
• Maximum power voltage: 20.2V
• Maximum power current: 3.96A
• Open circuit voltage: 23.9V
• Short circuit current: 4.20A
• Power allowance range: +/- 5%
• Solar Panel Dimensions: 1365 x 350 x 4 mm
• Junction Box Dimensions: 90 x 16 x 16 mm
• Weight: 3.05 kg
• 2 x 1m of high quality single core solar cable (4mm² cross section)
• Male and female MC4 connectors

Charge controller specifications:

• Rated current 20A
• Fully automated operation and auto 12/24V selection
• Wide solar input voltage range up to 50V
• 3 pairs of terminals (input, battery, output)
• LEDs to indicate charging, battery and load
• Temperature sensor for automatic compensation (-3mV/°C/2V)
• Over load protection (≥1.05 times the rated discharge current)
• Short circuit protection (≥2 times the rated discharge current)
• Over charge / discharge, overheating and other protection features
• Self-consumption: ≤ 8.4mA (12V) / ≤ 7.8mA (24V)
• Working temperature: -35C to +50C
• Terminals for wire up to 10mm2
• Size: 15.9 x 8.1 x 4.8 cm
• Weight: 300 g
• Multiple mounting holes for ease of installation

Please note: due to our warehouse arrangements, the solar charge controller and accessories may be shipped from a different warehouse to the solar panels and therefore delivered in a separate package.

The panels are covered by a 1 year repair or replacement warranty provided by Photonic Universe. We will repair or replace defective items at our discretion. The solar controller is covered by a 1 year manufacturer warranty. For more information please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Connection: Please note that it is essential to connect these 2 x 80W narrow panels in parallel (+ to +, - to -), using the T-branch MC4 connectors provided in the kit. Plug the positive (+) leads from both solar panels into the same T-branch adaptor with two "female" input sockets, and both negative (-) leads from the solar panels into the other T-branch adaptor with two "male" input sockets. Then simply plug the two spare solar extension cables into these adaptors and run the cables to the controller, carefully marking the polarity of the extension cables (the cable coming from the two positive leads of the solar panels remains positive).

Fitting: before installing these solar panels, please read the handling and fitting guidelines, available to download in the 'Documents' tab.

The solar charge controller comes with a detailed instruction manual which explains settings and operation (see Documents tab).

The solar charge controller in this kit is not waterproof and should be mounted indoors.

If you need help with installation or have any technical questions we can provide FREE support - please contact us by email or phone (see Contact Us page for more information).

The following documents are available to download:

Technical Drawing of 80W Reinforced Narrow Semi-flexible Solar Panel ARFLXNR-80M

User manual for PU2024B Photonic Universe 20A 12V/24V automatic solar charge controller

Handling and installation manual for Photonic Universe ARFLX semi-flexible solar panels