How about these solar panels?

[eddyturn]

Time to replace my '14 Zamp panels on my roof. Install at original build time so think these would be an exact fit. SMB west mounting uses the penthouse bolts with brackets (too bad) and drilled the current panels sides and bolt on the bracket which may make this easier.

Never heard of 9BB panels before but these kind of make sense. My Zamps don't give me squat when shaded even a little bit. These appear to be better win the shade. What you think?

https://www.bougerv.com/products/100...no-solar-panel

[Twoxentrix]

If your motivation is acquiring a panel that produces 'more' in the shade, you're bound for disappointment. A newer panel my give you something more than what you see now, but barely. Not saying you wouldn't benefit from some new panels, but only in sunlight. You'd be better served pursuing a suitcase panel with a relatively long cord which can be placed/positioned to capture sunlight. Lot of good threads on these suitcase panels if you search, and some technical clarification provided by Scalf77 concerning the effect of 'shade' on panels here:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ing-21140.html

[1der]

Half Cut cells do provide some better partial shading performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ8VQ_zmf1M

Keep in mind that this video is covering specific examples that may be present in a home build since the panels are static (not moving) and the shading progressions are known and consistent.

Our rig based mounting means sun shading is always in flux so the benefits of a Half Cut cell panel may really be minimal since shading is always changing. I would also do a bit more research as to the durability of half cell panels in high vibration prone applications.

An eight year old glass topped panel should not be diminished that much to warrant replacement. Perhaps there are other issues contributing to the lower output. Connections integrity, serial vs parallel panel connection (shading), solar controller, battery condition.

Certainly test your solar panels individually for voltage and current before getting new panels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SxfCSOnns8

At the same time you can play with shading scenarios to see how the voltage and current change. A deeper test, if you suspect problems with a panel, can include checking the bypass diodes on the panel. Do a search for that.

I agree with twoxentrix - a suitcase supplement would be a good call if you find your self in shaded sitiuations.

[Scalf77]

So I would expect the 9BB is better than 5BB, the half cut cells may reduce heat and such. I wouldn't think your solar charger could take advantage of their better shading performance. I don't have any experience with BougeRV panels, but they look like a very efficient panels.

-greg

[boywonder]

Eddy: You may have already figured this out but since no one has brought it up yet....

5BB is 5 buss bar cells ..the traditional way of making solar cells...

9BB is 9 buss bars per cell .....a newer way to eek out a bit more power...the cells are chopped up smaller.

BougeRV also makes some interesting 120W panels that may fit; I've found that the specs of some of these Bouge panels is quite close to my older panels allowing mixing panels with little power loss.