Solar panels 12 V

12 V solar panels are small modules designed to charge a 12 V battery directly via a regulator. They are completely different from domestic self-consumption panels, which operate at much higher voltages.

How does a 12 V panel differ from a mains-powered one?

The number of cells and, therefore, the operating voltage. A “12 V” panel has around 36 cells and delivers approximately 18 V at the maximum power point, just enough to charge a 12 V battery even with a PWM controller.

A 60- or 72-cell self-consumption panel outputs 30–45 V: with PWM, most of this is wasted, and it requires a MPPT to make the most of it.

How much power do I need for my campervan or boat?

Take into account your area’s daily consumption in ampere-hours and the number of usable hours of sunshine. As a rough guide, in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, every 100 W of well-oriented solar panels provides around 25–35 Ah per day at 12 V in summer, and considerably less in winter.

Available from 20 W to 175 W of Victron, in hardback. See also the 12 V lithium batteries.