FAQs

Flexible solar panels are primarily used to charge solar-compatible batteries, which can be used to power devices and small appliances in off-grid situations like camping, hunting, film productions, and power outages.

Many new motorhomes, campers and travel trailers are built with solar outlets to power the auxiliary battery. You’ll need to ensure that the cabling has an MC4 connector to be compatible with our flexible solar panels. If it does not, then you will need to purchase an adapter.

In addition, many DIYers or organizations modify 12V batteries, like car batteries, for solar-compatible charging to power vehicles or other types of large equipment. This may require purchasing additional equipment, including a charge controller that regulates voltages to your battery and your devices. Always use caution and take protective measures when performing any DIY project, especially those involving electricity.

Every flexible solar panel comes with MC4 compatible connector cables (male and female).

An MC4 connector is a popular solar output connection for panels in the 50 to 150-watt range. Sol-Go flexible solar panels require your battery, charge controller or other device(s) to have cables with MC4 connectors. You can also use a suitable adapter.

However, MC4 connectors do not include any electronic components that control current or voltage levels. Accordingly, the various components of your particular system may not be compatible simply because they all don't have MC4 connectors. You still need to verify the electrical operating conditions of each component of your system to ensure compatibility.

This will depend on your panel wattage, your battery watt-hour (Wh) capacity (a measurement of storage capacity) and the weather. A 150 Wh battery will charge faster than a 500 Wh battery because the 500 Wh battery has more storage capacity, therefore requiring more time to fully charge. In addition, a 100-watt panel will charge a battery faster than a 50-watt panel exposed to the same amount of sunlight.

Charging time will be affected by weather, shade, time-of-day, age and use of battery, efficiency of the charge controller, placement of the solar panels, and other operational factors. Be sure to look on your solar-compatible battery for an estimate of charging times as well as panel-wattage compatibility, and always check the charging characteristics of the battery to ensure it’s compatible with the wattage of the panel.

For higher battery capacity (greater than 150 Wh) we recommend using a 100-watt panel. Before doing this, however, please ensure that the battery you are charging is compatible with this wattage and use a compatible charge controller.

First, you’ll need to connect your battery’s charging cord to the MC4 connections on the panel. Then set your panel out in the sun. We recommend angling the panel toward the sun. This might require moving the panel a few times throughout the day.

If you are camping or hunting, you can use a camp chair, storage box, or duffle bag to prop up the panel. We also recommend putting your battery behind the panel to keep it shaded or purchase an extra-long cord to keep the battery out of the sun.

While not necessary for basic functionality, the use of a compatible charge controller is highly recommended, especially with systems using more than one solar panel. A compatible charge controller will regulate voltage and current from the solar panel(s) to the battery, and from the battery to your devices. A charge controller that can prevent overcharging, over-discharging, and overloading damage to the battery and your devices is recommended.

No, we do not recommend it. Flexible modules, regular stepping can cause cell cracking and, while the cells maintain electrical connectivity, cracks can still lead to some power loss. Additionally, walking on the panels will void the warranty.