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First Mate Marine Inc.

Marine Grade Solar Panels / PV Panels

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Pole Mounted Solar Panel with Integrated Hoist
We provide complete marine solar systems including solar panels, electronic controllers and mounting hardware.  Our solar panels are built to our specification for the marine environment by a highly acclaimed manufacturer.  Our mounting hardware is robust and made in the USA.

The key to a quality and robust marine solar panel is the quality of the solar cells used in the panel.  We use only the highest efficiency grade A+ solar cells.  Our panels are built with SunPower monocrystalline back contact solar cells, Bosch monocrystalline cells or Qcell polycrystalline high efficiency solar cells. Our marine panels also have essential blocking diodes built in, strong anodized aluminum frames and marine grade sealants.  That is why we can offer a 5 year warranty on all of our panels.


Rigid Solar Panels
The ideal marine solar panel for mounting on a pole must be highly efficient (maximum output per surface area), nearly square in shape and robust enough to withstand the harsh marine environment.  We offer various sizes and types of solar panels to meet the unique needs of our customers.  For the cruising boat with modest power requirements, we recommend our 100 - 120 watt panels and for the cruising boat with greater power requirements we recommend our 150 - 175 watt panels.  We offer both monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels.  These panels are excellent for mounting on a pole or a bimini frame. All CMP (Custom Marine Products) solar panels are high quality, high output Class A+ marine grade and backed with a 5 year manufacturers and CMP warranty.


Our new 160 watt rectangular panel (57 x 21 inches) is ideal for mounting on dinghy davits.  All CMP (Custom Marine Products) solar panels are high quality, high output Class A+ marine grade and backed with a 5 year manufacturers and CMP warranty.

Semi-flexible Solar Panels
Our semi-flexible 30, 50, 55, 110 and 120 watt solar panels are ideal for mounting on a bimini top or a curved deck surface. These panels can be purchased individually or as a complete easy to install kit.  All of our semi-flexible solar panels use the highest grade SunPower cells available.  These panels are comparable in performance to our rigid panels.  They are manufactured to our specification using ETFE laments that will not yellow or degrade with exposure to intense UV light.

Easy to Assemble Kits
We have developed easy to assemble kits for rigid panel top-of-pole mounting and for semi-flexible panel bimini and hard surface mounting.


Matching your solar panels to your charge controller can greatly increase the system charging ability, reducing battery charge time and increasing battery life.   Our complete solar panel kits provide everything you need to install and operate a marine solar system; solar panel, hardware, charge controller, wire and instruction manual.


​Specifications for CMP Marine PV Solar Panels

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*** NEW *** Marine Semi-flexible Solar Panels
Our 50 and 100 watt monocrystalline semi-flexible high efficiency solar panels have an impermeable laminate coating the entire module allowing them to contour and flex against curved surfaces with a maximum bending radius of 30 degrees.  Each panel can be affixed by adhesive, snap, stitching or screw mounting. Grommets are an added bonus for  ease-of-installation. All panels come with industry standard waterproof MC4 connectors.   These panels are ideal for mounting on a bimini top or a curved deck surface.

55 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$260.00

55 Watt Semi-flexible - White Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP23055FW

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 8
Dimensions    21.25 X 22.80
Rated Power    55
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    23.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    3.1
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    19.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    2.9
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   23.6
Weight    3.3

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55 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$260.00

55 Watt Semi-flexible - Black Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP23055FB

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 8
Dimensions    21.25 X 22.80
Rated Power    55
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    23.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    3.1
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    19.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    2.9
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   23.6
Weight    3.3

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70 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$319.00

70 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP23070F

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 5
Dimensions    21.25 X 27.75
Rated Power    70
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    23.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    3.9
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    19.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    3.6
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   30
Weight    3.8

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115Watt - Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$529.00

110 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP23110F

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 8
Dimensions    21.25x42.3
Rated Power    110
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    23.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    6.0
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    19.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    5.6
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22%
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   47.
Weight    3.3

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130 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$599.00

130 Watt Semi-flexible - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP23130F

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 9
Dimensions    21.25 X 47.25
Rated Power    130
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    26.3
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    6.2
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    22.3
Nominal Power (Imp)    5.8
Cell Conversion Efficiency    23.7
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   55.7
Weight    5.2

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Marine Rigid Monocrystalline Solar Panels

105 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$429.00

105 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP21105M

Specifications:
Panel Type     Bosch Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 6
Dimensions    26.40 X 39.40
Rated Power    105
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    21.6
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    6.5
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    17.5
Nominal Power (Imp)    6
Cell Conversion Efficiency    17.9
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   36
Weight    18

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100 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$454.00

100 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP22100S

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 8
Dimensions    21.30 X 41.70
Rated Power    100
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    21.6
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    6.8
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    17.6
Nominal Power (Imp)    5.9
Cell Conversion Efficiency    20.2
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   35.4
Weight    20.3

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140 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$629.00

140 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP22140S

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    5 x 8
Dimensions    26.80 X 41.70
Rated Power    140
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    23.8
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    8.5
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    19.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    7.1
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   60
Weight    22

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150 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$699.00

150 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP22150SR

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 12
Dimensions    21.30 X 56.90
Rated Power    150
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    29.3
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    7
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    24.8
Nominal Power (Imp)    6.5
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22.8
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   64.3
Weight    26.5

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175 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$799.00

175 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP22175S

Specifications:
Panel Type     SunPower Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    7 x 7
Dimensions    36.20 X 37.00
Rated Power    175
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    36.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    6.3
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    30.3
Nominal Power (Imp)    5.8
Cell Conversion Efficiency    22.8
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   75
Weight    26.5

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160 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel

$645.00

160 Watt Rigid - Monocrystalline Solar Panel CMP21160M

Specifications:
Panel Type     Bosch Monocrystalline
Cell Layout    6 x 6
Dimensions    39.00 X 39.50
Rated Power    160
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    21.6
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    9.9
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    17.5
Nominal Power (Imp)    9.1
Cell Conversion Efficiency    18.4
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   54.6
Weight    26.5

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Marine  Rigid Polycrystalline Solar Panels

150 Watt Rigid - Polycrystalline Solar Panel

$549.00

150 Watt Rigid - Polycrystalline Solar Panel CMP21150P

Specifications:
Panel Type     Q Cell Polycrystalline
Cell Layout    6 x 6
Dimensions    39.00 X 39.50
Rated Power    150
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    21.9
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    9.2
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    17.6
Nominal Power (Imp)    8.5
Cell Conversion Efficiency    17.1
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   51
Weight    26.5

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160 Watt Rigid - Polycrystalline Solar Panel

$579.00

160 Watt Rigid - Polycrystalline Solar Panel CMP21160PK

Specifications:
Panel Type     Q Cell Polycrystalline
Cell Layout    4 x 9
Dimensions    26.30 X 59.00
Rated Power    160
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)    21.9
Short Circuit Current (Isc)    9.7
Nominal Voltage Current (Vmp)    17.6
Nominal Power (Imp)    9
Cell Conversion Efficiency    18
Amp Hrs / Day @ 6 Hrs Sun   54
Weight    26.5

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A Few Facts About Solar Panels / PV Panels

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140 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Panel Type - There are many articles written on the two types of solar panels also referred to as photovoltaic panels (PV) ; monocrystalline and polycrystalline.  Monocrystalline panels are made up of single crystal silicon wafers.  Polycrystalline panels are made using silicon wafers that have a multiple crystalline structure.  There are pros and cons to each type of panel.  Monocrystalline panels have a higher output per square inch in direct sun.  They can be sensitive to shading and output will degrade faster on cloudy days.  Polycrystalline  panels tend to have a slightly lower output per square inch in direct sun but are not as sensitive to being shaded and output will not degrade as much on cloudy days.  We recommend polycrystalline panels in northern areas where cloud cover is common and monocrystalline panels in areas of consistent sun.  It is important to note that today's newer high quality polycrystalline panels perform within 5% of monocrystalline panels in full sun.

Panel Crystal Quality - Because boats have a relatively confined space,  maximum output per surface area is very important.  The quality of the silicon crystals used in solar panels is a key factor in determining the panel output.  Crystals are passed under a standard light source and graded as to their output (1-10).  Grades are grouped into classes.  Class A crystals are grades 8-10, Class B crystals are grades 4-7 and so on.  Crystal quality follows a bell curve; there are many more Class B crystals than Class A.  We at CMP specify only the best Class A-9 crystals for use in our panels which results in a panel efficiency  in excess of 17%.   Less expensive Class B and C panels are often used on land based solar farms where space is not an issue.  Though a bit more expensive, our customers have reported that our marine solar panels often out perform the performance rating on the panel label.  

Panel Shape - The largest market for solar panels is commercial applications where many many panels are mounted on a roof or in a field.  These panels are usually rectangular in shape often twice as long as wide.   This shape is often not ideal for marine application.  Often a more square shape is preferable, especially for pole mounting.

Marine Grade - It's no secret that the marine environment, especially salt water, can be tough on equipment.  To withstand the rigors of the marine environment, solar panels should have strong stout anodized aluminum framing, should be well sealed and waterproof, and have the electrical box on the back of the panel encased in an inert non-corrosive waterproof material to protect the electronic components.

Choosing the right panel for your needs will require study and/or discussion with PV panel experts.


What size of solar panel do you need?

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Twin 90 Watt Solar Panels
 The amount of power needed while cruising depends on many factors including the energy used by appliances and lighting, the output of the engine alternator, the climate and the length of time away from shore power. These and other factors will determine the amount of solar power and thus size of the solar panel(s)  you may need.  

Working with Ed Foster a PV engineer, we have developed a worksheet to assist you in analyzing your on board power generation and consumption and estimating you solar power requirement.  Print out our Solar Power Calculation Worksheet and use it as a guide to calculate your power generation requirement.


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Innovating Recreational Boating - Marine Solar Panels, Solar Panel Mounting Systems, Lifting Cranes, LED Lighting and More, Call  360.301.5968