Leisure Power Direct has a range
of solar
panels and lighting
kits using the latest in cutting
edge technology allowing you to capture the sun’s energy
and convert this solar power into electrical current to power
a range of appliances.
The uses for solar power are endless. From simply keeping a
battery fully charged on your classic car or electric fence,
to being totally self sufficient in your caravan or boat, to
lighting your garden or shed garage or beach hut, to powering
any electrical appliance such as a television or computer.
Our panels use crystalline silicon technology which is more
efficient than amorphous or thin film solutions. Amorphous
thin film Silicon is rated at 5-6% efficiency with output often
dropping to below half the rated output within a couple of
years and a much larger size Watt per Watt compared with Mono
or Poly Crystalline. Poly Crystalline has a rating of 10-14%
efficiency with a life expectancy of 20 years plus (The specification
of the STI modules is for high efficiency compact cells for
module construction, this makes our Poly Crystalline modules
as efficient as many Mono Crystalline modules with 17% efficiency).
All our solar panels are accredited with the IEC 61215certification
that guarantees robust construction and high output performance
in all weatherconditions.
  
Our range of panels extends from 5 through to 150 watts in power. Choosing the correct size of panel will depend on variables such as the power usage by the appliances, the amount of energy your battery can store and length of use.
How much energy can your battery store?
Battery capacity is measured in Amp Hours (AH). You need
to convert this to Watts Hours (WH) by multiplying the AH
figure by the battery voltage (V). For example for an SLC18-12
(18AH 12V) the WH figure is 18 x 12 = 216 WH This means the
battery could supply 216W for 1 hour, or 108W for 2 hours
i.e. the more energy you take, the faster the battery discharges.
How much energy will your appliance(s) use over a period
of time?
The power consumption of appliances is given in Watts (eg
21" fluorescent light, 13W). To calculate the energy
you will use over time multiply the power consumption by
the hours of use.
The 13W light fitting on for 2 hours will take 13 x 2 = 26WH from the battery.
Repeat this for all the appliances you wish to use, then add the results to establish
total consumption in WH.
How much energy can a Solar panel generate over a period
of time?
The power generation rating of a solar panel is also given
in Watts (eg STP010 = 10W). To calculate the energy it can
supply to the battery, multiply Watts by the hours exposed
to daylight, then multiply the result by 0.85 (this factor
allows for natural system losses).
For the 10W panel in 4 hours of daylight it produces the following amount of
energy.
10 x 4 x 0.85 = 34WH. This is the amount of energy the Solar panel can supply
to the battery.
| Part No |
Description |
Size |
Weight |
Amps/Hr |
Amps/Day |
| STP005 |
5wp Solar Panel |
315x215x25mm |
1.0kg |
0.33 |
Up to 2.31 |
| STP010 |
10wp Solar Panel |
397x278x25mm |
1.6kgs |
0.66 |
Up to 4.62 |
| STP018 |
18wp Solar Panel |
638x278x25mm |
2.2kgs |
1.21 |
Up to 8.47 |
| STP028 |
28wp Solar Panel |
559x407x25mm |
2.8kgs |
1.71 |
Up to 11.90 |
| STP043 |
43wp Solar Panel |
634x534x35mm |
4.3kgs |
2.50 |
Up to 17.50 |
| STP060 |
60wp Solar Panel |
743x635x35mm |
6.3kgs |
3.49 |
Up to 24.43 |
| STP080 |
80wp Solar Panel |
1196x534x35mm |
7.9kgs |
5.00 |
Up to 35.00 |
| STP120 |
120wp Solar Panel |
1483x671x35mm |
11.5kgs |
7.93 |
Up to 55.51 |
| STP150 |
150wp Solar Panel |
1580x793x50mm |
13.5kgs |
9.72 |
Up to 68.04 |
*
amps and watts per day based on 7 hours peak sunlight hours.
We also have a range Solar Kits that
can provide essential light and electrical power to any
outdoor building such as sheds, workshops, summer houses,
beach huts, stables, agricultural buildings etc. A Solar kit is quick and easy to install requiring no special tools or qualifications.
Part P of the new building Regulations introduced in the UK in January 2005 require any outdoor electrical work to be completed by a qualified electrician but these
kits can be installed easily without the need to comply with these regulations
or expensive excavations.
The kit comprises a high power solar panel which is suitable for UK weather conditions
and all the necessary fixings, cables and low energy bulbs. You will need a suitable
AGM, GEL, caravan or marine battery to complete the installation and get free
electricity from solar power. For example the solar kit 1 when connected to an
SLC18-12 (18ah AGM) battery will provide up to 7 hours of light. Enough to illuminate
16 sq metres.
A charge controller will be required to work in conjunction with certain solar
panels to prevent overcharging of your battery. All Lighting Kits include a charge
controller except Solar Kits 1 and 2.
 
- 4A Charge Controller for the 18w, 28w. 43w and 60w panels.
- 8A Charge Controller for the 80w and 120w panels.
- 12A Charge Controller for the 150w panel and installations
up to 180watts.
- 20A Charge Controller for installations up to 320watts.
- 30A Charge Controller for installations up to 480watts.
When using a battery less than 70AH with the 10w panel a 4amp
charge
controller must be used. |
