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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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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    * with MPPT Tracer Controller
*** 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.
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55 Watt Monocrystalline 
Semi-flexible Marine Solar Panel






Specifications:

       Panel Type                 Class A Monocrystalline SunPower Cells          Rated Power                                      50 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)               19.8 Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                   2.93 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                 23.4 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                   3.1 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                    22%
       Manufacturers Warranty                     5 Years 
       Dimensions                                  21.3" X 22.8"
                                                          540mm X 58mm
       Weight                                         3.3 pounds, 1.5 kg 
       Output Connections:                     MC4

Picture110 Watt Semi-flexible Solar Panel
120 Watt Monocrystalline 
Semi-flexible Marine Solar Panel






Specifications:

       Panel Type                     Class A Monocrystalline SunPower Cells
       Rated Power                                        120 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)                19.8 Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                    6.06 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                   23.4 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                     6.55 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                     22%
       Manufacturers Warranty                         5 Years 
       Dimensions                                    21.25" X 47.2"
                                                            540mm X 1200mm
       Weight                                           6.6 pounds, 3 kg        
       Output Connections:                       MC4

50 Watt Semi-flexible Marine Solar Panel

$260.00
Add to Cart

120 Watt Semi-flexible Marine Solar Panel

$559.00
Add to Cart

Marine Solar Panels for Modest Power Requirements

100 Watt Marine Solar Panel

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Our 100 watt polycrystalline solar panel is an excellent overall performer in sun and cloud due to the use of very high quality Class A solar cells.  It is tolerant of some shading from rigging. As with all of our rigid solar panels, the electrical box is sealed (potted) with inert silicone to eliminate any possibility of corrosion. 

Specifications:
       Panel Type                    Class A Polycrystalline
       Rated Power                                    100 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)              17.5 Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                  5.71 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                 21.6 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                   6.17 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                  16.7%
       Manufacturers Warranty                     7 Years 
       Dimensions                               26.38" X 39.37"
                                                   670mm X 1000mm 
       Weight                                 18 pounds,  8.2 kg 
       Output Connections:               MC4

105 Watt Marine Solar Panel

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Our new 105 watt monocrystalline solar panel uses Class A+ Bosch solar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at 17.9% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system.


Specifications:
       Panel Type                   Class A Monocrystalline
       Rated Power                                     105 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)                17.5 Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                      6.0 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                   21.6 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                     6.48 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                     17.87%
       Manufacturers Warranty                       7 Years 
       Dimensions                                  26.38" X 39.37"
                                                       670mm X 1000mm 
       Weight                                     18 pounds, 8.2 kg 
       Output Connections:                   MC4

100 Watt Marine Solar Panel

$395.00
Add to Cart
100 Watt polycrystalline marine solar panel with MC4 connectors

105 Watt Marine Solar Panel

$445.00
Add to Cart
105 Watt Monocrystalline marine solar panel with MC4 connectors

100 Watt Marine Solar Panel - Premium SunPower Solar Cell

120 Watt Marine Solar Panel - Premium SunPower Solar Cells

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Our 100 Watt SunPower cell monocrystalline solar panel uses premium SunPower solar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at over 20% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment.  When integrated with our Tracer BN MPPT controller or our EP Duo PWM dual output controller, this combination provides the highest output per sq. inch of most any system available.  You can expect at least 34 amp hours on a sunny day.

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Specifications:
       Panel Type                    Premium SunPower Monocrystalline
       Rated Power                                    100 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)              17.6 Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                  6.0 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                 21.6 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                   6.8 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                  20.2%
       Manufacturers Warranty                     5 Years 
       Dimensions                                      21.3" X 41.7"
                                                              540mm X 1060mm 
       Weight                                            20.3 pounds,  9.2 kg 
       Output Connections:                         MC4

100 Watt Marine Solar Panel - SunPower Cells

$454.00
Add to Cart
Our 100 Watt  monocrystalline solar panel uses premium SunPowersolar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at over 20% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system.
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​Our 120 Watt SunPower monocrystalline solar panel uses premium SunPower solar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at over 20% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system.  When integrated with our Tracer BN MPPT controller, this combination provides the highest output per sq. inch of any system available.  You can expect at least 45 amp hours on a sunny day although some customers have reported as high as 65 amp hours a day.

Specifications:
       Panel Type                    Premium SunPower Monocrystalline
       Rated Power                                    120 Watts 

       Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)              20. Volts 
       Peak Power Amps (Impp)                  6.0 Amps 
       Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)                 24 Volts 
       Short Circuit Current (Isc)                   6.5 Amps
       Cell Conversion Efficiency                  21%
       Manufacturers Warranty                     5 Years 
       Dimensions                                      26.38" X 41.3"
                                                              675mm X 1060mm 
       Weight                                            22 pounds,  10 kg 
       Output Connections:                         MC4

120 Watt Marine Solar Panel - SunPower Cells

$544.00
Add to Cart
Our 120 Watt  monocrystalline solar panel uses premium SunPowersolar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at over 20% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system. 

Marine Solar Panels for Higher Power Requirements

150 Watt Marine Solar Panel

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Our 150 watt polycrystalline solar panel uses the same technology as our  popular 100 watt panel, is 17+% efficient and will perform well in both full and partial sun.  This panel is tolerant of partial shading from sails and rigging. 

Specifications:
Panel Type                                     Class A Polycrystalline
Rated Power                                   150   Watts

Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)            17.6 Volts
Peak Power Amps (Impp)                8.52 Amps
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)               20.8     Volts
Short Circuit Current (Isc)                 9.2 Amps
Cell Conversion Efficiency                17.1%
Manufacturers Warranty                   5 Years
Dimensions (inches)                        39.5" x 39"     1005 x 992 mm 
Weight (pounds)                              26.5 pounds   12 kg
Output Connections:                        MC4

175 Watt Marine Solar Panel

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Our 175 watt monocrystalline solar panel is powered by premium SunPower solar cells and is one of the most efficient panels available at over 22% efficiency.  This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system.  When integrated with our Tracer BN MPPT controller, this combination will provide the highest output per square inch of any system available.  You can expect at least 72 amp hours on a sunny day.

Specifications:
Panel Type                                  Class A Monocrystalline
Rated Power                                 175   Watts 

Peak Power Voltage (Vmpp)            30.3 Volts 
Peak Power Amps (Impp)                5.8 Amps 
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)               36.7 Volts 
Short Circuit Current (Isc)                 6.24 Amps
Cell Conversion Efficiency                23.7%
Manufacturers Warranty                   5 Years 
Dimensions (inches)                         36.3" x 37"   920 x 940 mm
Weight (pounds)                               26.5 pounds  12 kg
Output Connections:                         MC4 

150 Watt Marine Solar Panel

$569.00
Add to Cart
Marine grade Class A polycrystalline high output 150 watt solar panel with MC4 connectors

175 Watt Marine Solar Panel

$779.00
Add to Cart
Monocrystalline solar panel with premium SunPower solar cells. This marine grade solar panel will perform extremely well in both full and partial sun.  It is built to withstand the harsh marine environment and is ideal for top-of-pole mounting in  a 12 volt system. ​

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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