- For jurisdictions, installations shall be performed in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and any applicable local codes.
- For Canadian jurisdictions, installations shall be in accordance with CSA C22.1, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 and any
- applicable local codes.
- There are no user‐serviceable parts within the module. Do not attempt to repair any part of the module.
- Installation should be performed only by qualified personnel.
- Do not stand on, drop, scratch, or allow objects to fall on modules as it may damage them and void the warranty.
- DO NOT WALK ON THE PANELS.
- DO NOT CARRY THE PANELS BY THE ELECTRICAL CABLES OR JUNCTION BOX.
- Do not place anything on the modules, even for a moment because resulting residue may damage or stain the surface.
- If the front sheet or the back sheet is torn, contact with any module surface or module frame can cause electric shock.
- Broken or cracked J‐boxes, cables and/or connectors are electrical hazards as well as laceration hazards. Customers should remove any such module from service and contact SunPower for disposal instructions.
- Broken or cracked metal ribbons in the panel are electrical hazards. Customers should remove any such module from service and contact SunPower for disposal instructions.
- Do not install or handle the modules when they are wet or during periods of high wind.
- Do not allow water to pool on or near the module.
- SunPower recommends a conservative minimum cable bend radius equal to or greater than 40 mm (1.5”).
- Contact SunPower if maintenance is necessary.
- Retain these instructions for future reference
What is a SunPower flexible panel used for?
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
Can SunPower flexible panels charge devices directly?
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. SunPower 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.
How long does charging take?
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.
I am using my SunPower flexible panel to power a solar-compatible battery. How should I set it up?
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.
Can SunPower flex panels be walked on?
No, we do not recommend it. Flex modules, regular stepping can cause cell cracking and, while the cells maintain electrical connectivity, cracks can still lead to some power loss beyond the control of Maxeon Solar Technologies. Additionally, walking on the panels will void the warranty.
Does Cosmetic quality affect the panel’s performance?
Every single panel is electrically tested and inspected for cosmetic criteria at the end of the production line. Regardless of the cosmetic grade, the cosmetic effects do not affect performance or reliability.
All installations must be performed in compliance with any applicable local codes.
For United States jurisdictions, installations shall be performed in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and any applicable local codes.
For Canadian jurisdictions, installations shall be in accordance with CSA C22.1, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 and any
applicable local codes.
There are no user‐serviceable parts within the module. Do not attempt to repair any part of the module.
Installation should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Do not stand on, drop, scratch, or allow objects to fall on modules as it may damage them and void the warranty.
DO NOT WALK ON THE PANELS.
DO NOT CARRY THE PANELS BY THE ELECTRICAL CABLES OR JUNCTION BOX.
Do not place anything on the modules, even for a moment because resulting residue may damage or stain the surface.
If the front sheet or the back sheet is torn, contact with any module surface or module frame can cause electric shock.
Broken or cracked J‐boxes, cables and/or connectors are electrical hazards as well as laceration hazards. Customers should remove any such module from service
and contact SunPower for disposal instructions.
Broken or cracked metal ribbons in the panel are electrical hazards. Customers should remove any such module from service and contact SunPower for disposal
instructions.
Do not install or handle the modules when they are wet or during periods of high wind.
Do not allow water to pool on or near the module.
SunPower recommends a conservative minimum cable bend radius equal to or greater than 40 mm (1.5”).
Contact SunPower if maintenance is necessary.
Retain these instructions for future reference