Recommended Products to Complete Your SunPower Solar System
SunPower panel(s)
MPPT charge
controller
Circuit breaker
Battery bank
SunPower® solar panels are the first step in going solar on your yacht. Some of the items listed below will be required for installation and to complete your solar system, especially if you are using more than one panel. Whether you are new to solar, or upgrading your current system aboard, we recommend the following products that are available to complete your install. We did all the research and made it easy for you to just click on the product and add it to your cart to build your new SunPower system aboard.
Y-Branch MC4 Connectors
For parallel wiring - we highly recommend a variation of these Y-branch connectors. When connecting your panels in parallel they serve to simplify your wire runs, ease installation and provide a good connection and have a weatherproof seal (IP67) to withstand the outside elements. They are each sold in pairs and are very easy to connect together (plug and play) and depending on your preferred wiring run the first three options give you more flexibility for connections. eg. If bringing 4 panels together will the wires on your panel each reach the Y branch connector? Maybe you will need an extension cable?
For 2 panels
2x12AWG to 1x12AWG
For 2 panels
For 3 panels
3x12AWG to 1x12AWG
For 3 panels
For 4 panels
4x12AWG to 1x10AWG
For 4 panels
The design of the MC4 connectors is that they cannot be accidentally disconnected. To disconnect and stow your SunPower® E-Flex panels, you will need one of these tools. Note: do not connect or disconnect panels when exposed to light (under load). Only connect or disconnect when the panel is completely covered by a dark material. This tool can also be used when attaching your own MC4 connectors to PV wire.
Note: not all MC4 disconnect tools you see online are the same size! The 'prongs' may be too large to fit but this tool from TE Connectivity will fit all SunPower® E-Flex panels.
sold as a pair
PV Extension Cable
Each install will be different from the next but you will likely need an extension cable to go from your solar panels/Y branch connectors to the MPPT charge controller (which should be as close to your house battery bank as possible).
Each wire run will be different and if you are comfortable cutting wire, crimping and adding your own MC4 connectors then one option is buy a roll of PV wire some MC4 connectors and a crimping tool. To make it more convenient there are PV extension cables with MC4 connectors already attached (male on one end & female on the other) When choosing the right size of wire, make sure to consider both voltage drop and amps. Most installs will use 10AWG wiring to ensure that you harness all of the solar output. It is important that the maximum number of amps from your panels does not exceed that of the wiring.
As a general rule 10AWG is for up to 30 amps BUT it is very important to look at the distance of your wire run.
For example: I have a 20ft wire run from my Y branch connectors to my MPPT charge controller. Take the 40ft extension cable and cut the cable halfway. I now have 2x20ft extension cables with a male and female MC4 connector at one end and bare wire at the other. The MC4 connectors will connect to your Y-branch connector (for parallel wiring) or to your panels (for series wiring) and the bare wire ends will connect to your MPPT charge controller input.
Note: measure your wire run accurately as you will be surprised it is likely further than you first thought. When we installed a panel on a Dufour 382 the wire run was right on 30ft, a 60ft extension cable was only just enough.
10AWG PV extension wire
3ft - 120ft
Extension cable from my panel to my Y branch connector - Another thing to consider is that maybe your panels will not all reach your Y-branch connectors (for parallel) or might not reach your other panels (for series) In which case you will need an extension cable but it will likely need to be a shorter length and you won't need to cut it in half (as you will need an MC4 connector on each end).
MPPT Charge Controllers
MPPT Charge controllers are an integral part of your solar system aboard your yacht and serve to control the flow of power from the solar panels to the battery bank. SunPower® E-Flex panels work best with MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controllers as opposed to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) charge controllers.
See our blog and FAQ for more info on MPPT but in short the innovative technology in the MPPT controller serves to maximize your power production and battery charging. MPPT charges your batteries up to 30% faster than PWM regulators – with the same number of panels and as such are highly recommended for your solar system.
There are a number of brands available to choose from but we recommend Victron Energy MPPT controllers.
'Buck' or 'Boost'
It's first important to decide if you need a 'buck' or 'boost' MPPT charge controller which depends on the voltage of your solar panel(s) and the voltage of the battery bank.
A buck MPPT charge controller will take a higher voltage from the solar panel(s) and reduce (buck) the voltage to charge your battery bank eg. 1x170W panel is rated at 29.4V and you are charging a nominal 12V battery bank so you need to buck the voltage.
29.4V panel
'Buck' MPPT
higher voltage panel to lower voltage battery
12V nominal
battery bank
A boost MPPT charge controller will take a lower voltage from the solar panel(s) and increase (boost) the voltage to charge your battery bank eg. 1x170W panel is rated at 29.4V and you are charging a nominal 48V battery bank so you need to boost the voltage.
29.4V panel
'Boost' MPPT
lower voltage panel to higher voltage battery
48V nominal
battery bank
All of the Victron Energy MPPT Charge controllers in our store are buck controllers, taking your higher voltage panel(s) and reducing (buck) the voltage down to charge your battery bank.
We have had a lot of positive feedback on the line of SmartSolar charge controllers by Victron Energy. They have Bluetooth built-in which enables set-up and monitoring with a smartphone or tablet. They also feature, advanced MPPT detection to mitigate shading losses. Check the voltage of your battery bank and the PV input accepted, these come in 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 45 & 50Amp output. Victron also offers a wide range of other products like inverters to further complete your SunPower® flexible solar system on your yacht.
When looking at their products (eg. 75|15) the first number is the maximum solar open circuit voltage (75V) and the second is the max charge current in Amps (15A) - BUT it's very important to check the spec sheet to ensure that your solar panel(s) do not exceed the maximum input parameters of the charge controller. At best you would be limiting the output potential of the panels, at worst you could damage the controller.
As of January 2015 all Victron Energy products come with a 5 year limited warranty (with the exception of their batteries which have a 2 year limited warranty) We heard great feedback about their technical support from a number of people who stopped by our booth in Annapolis. For their full product line you can visit www.victronenergy.com
Notes: There was a Victron Energy BlueSolar range of MPPT charge controllers
without bluetooth built in that has since been discontinued.
If you want to back up your bluetooth and have the redundancy of a remote
monitor or just like the convenience of a display at the nav station then both
the BlueSolar & SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers have the option to add
a separate remote monitor with display called the MPPT Control
(select your length of VE.Direct cable)
VictronConnect app
Download the 'VictronConnect' app for free. When first powering up your charge controller and pairing it with Bluetooth you will likely need a password which is set to six zeros (000000) You can then change this password to one you prefer. You will also likely have to carry out a few firmware updates, which is pretty straightforward and in no time you will be paired and able to see your solar system performance in great detail. Historical data is also stored for up to 30 days.
SmartSolar range
bluetooth connectivity built in
The full range of Victron SmartSolar MPPT controllers is available in our store with free shipping in the USA. Just click on a controller for more product details and spec sheets.
We're happy to help you size the correct controller(s) for the number & size of SunPower solar panels you install. Just email or call us and we'll check the parameters of the panel(s) and controller(s).
75|10
PV Input:
12V - Up to 145W
24V - Up to 290W
36V/48V - N/A
100|20
PV Input:
12V - Up to 290W
24V - Up to 580W
48V - Up to 1160W
150|35
PV Input:
12V - Up to 500W
24V - Up to 1000W
36V - Up to 1500W
48V - Up to 2000W
75|15
PV Input:
12V - Up to 220W
24V - Up to 440W
36V/48V - N/A
100|15
PV Input:
12V - Up to 220W
24V - Up to 440W
36/48V - N/A
100|30
PV Input:
12V - Up to 440W
24V - Up to 880W
36V/48V - N/A
100|50
PV Input:
12V - Up to 700W
24V - Up to 1400W
36V/48V - N/A
150|45
PV Input:
12V - Up to 650W
24V - Up to 1300W
36V - Up to 1950W
48V - Up to 2600W
150|60
PV Input:
12V - Up to 860W
24V - Up to 1720W
36V - Up to 2580W
48V - Up to 3440W
Do you have a 48V battery bank aboard and wondering how you can charge your batteries with just one solar panel?
Genasun has the answer. Their charge controllers are made in the USA and have a 5 year limited warranty.
Most solar MPPT charge controllers move power from a higher voltage panel to a lower voltage battery bank. The Genasun GVB-series controllers, in contrast, pump electricity uphill. These controllers will take a lower voltage panel and increase (boost) the voltage to charge a 24V, 36V or 48V battery pack.
Check out www.genasun.com for the full range of Genasun controllers. If charging a 24V-48V nominal battery bank, the GVB-8 (Boost) controller is ideal with any SunPower E-Flex panels.
Note: It's important to choose the correct Genasun GVB-8 controller for your battery type - Lead Acid OR Lithium-Ion
Genasun GVB-8 48V
for Lead-Acid batteries
Genasun GVB-8 24V
for Li-ion batteries
Genasun Waterproof (WP) boost charge controllers
Most charge controllers are designed to be placed inside the boat
in a dry place and so have a low IP rating (IP22). Genasun has a solution
for controllers that you might need to install in a place more prone to
the elements & likely to get wet or damp.
Their waterproof boost controllers are rated IP68 and the advanced
electronics inside the controller are encased in a proprietary potting
compound making them ideal for marine applications.
Bussman 187 Series Marine Circuit Breaker
We recommend installing a circuit breaker after the MPPT charge
controller and before the battery bank (on the positive wire). This will
allow you to isolate the solar from the battery bank should you need to
work on the batteries. Match the circuit breaker to the output of the
MPPT charge controller eg. 100|50 pair with a 50A circuit breaker.
LOXX Fasteners - An alternative to installing using velcro on a bimini top are the LOXX fasteners. These high quality, stainless steel fasteners made in Germany allow for quicker removal of the panels. The variety of upper parts and lower parts even gives options for installing onto hardtops/coachroof.
The full range of LOXX fasteners are available at www.sailrite.com
LOXX fasteners used on an install of 2x110W flex panels aboard S/V Delos
an Amel Super Maramu
Don't forget you will need a
LOXX fastener install key to
tighten up the fasteners
LOXX XL upper part with long washer
can attach to the panel
Sailrite is actually a great resource for tutorials & learning with their 'How To Guides' both on their website and YouTube Channel. One example is the video below about LOXX fasteners
Deck fittings
Depending on your installation you will likely need a watertight cable gland for your marine electronic cables to enter through the boat. This will be the PV extension wires (positive and negative) running from your solar panels down into the boat to the MPPT charge controller. There are multiple options and sizes of deck fitting available and these are just a few suggestions. We have had positive feedback on customers that went with Scanstrut so we now offer the DS-HD-10BLK in our store.
Are you taking your solar panels down & stowing them for any period of time? Use these dust covers made by TE Connectivity to protect the MC4 connectors from any dust/dirt ingress on the panel and also any PV extension wire you have still running that would be exposed to the elements. Available in our store and sold as two pairs one of these covers will protect the pin (negative connector on the panel) and the other will protect the socket (positive connector on the panel)
