Shade Tolerant Solar Panel

[The Minimalist]

I currently have 80 watts of amorphous solar panels on top of my Little Joe that I a looking to replace.


The places I camp tend to be shaded so I need experience based recommendations for shade tolerant solar panels.


I know there has been a lot of improvement in mono and multi crystalline panels over the last few years. I need a jump start on my search. Multi crystalline is most likely the way to go.


I want to go with at least 100w since I know that no panel will reach full potential in a shaded site. My demand is small; usb charging ports, LED lighting, vent fan and oscillating fan. Charging a Group 27 wet cell.


Thanks for your help. I look forward to the discussion.

[CarlD]

I have seen a Utube video investigating the performance of these panels. Mostly qualitative evaluation under back yard conditions. You may want to investigate them. Like everything else, they are on Amazon.

https://www.renogy.com/120w-shadowfl...JDkT5cZA8s__kX

[sokhapkin]

No solar panel can tolerate a shade. By definition. The panel needs a sunlight. If you park in a shade, the only useful option is an external movable panel.

[John LF]

Monocrystaline panels are the most efficient although even a little shade decreases the power generation considerably. Last week I put my hand over a corner of my 100W panel and power was decreased by half.
Also the angle and position of the panel is very important.
I connect my panel to the charge controler with a long silicon (for flexibility) covered cable and lean my panel out of the shade on something facing the sun. Cables used for low voltage landscape lighting work fine, too. You can stand in front of the panel looking at it with the shadow of your head in the middle of the panel and the sun beaming directly behind your head to get the panel positioned for maximun output. A few degrees off does not make a lot of difference.
The good news is that solar panels a relatively inexpensive right now. I paid $300 for a 40W polycrystalline panel 15 years ago. My current monocrystalline 100W panel is only an inch wider and was a little over $60. Act quickly because the prices might be going up considerably with new tariffs on Chinese products.