About Solar Panels
What this collection covers
UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA stocks solar panels for off-grid and small-scale renewable deployments — cabin, RV, marine house bank charging, emergency backup, mobile communications. Most stocked panels are monocrystalline rigid in the 100–400 W range, suited to charging 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V deep-cycle banks via an MPPT charge controller.
This is not a grid-tie / net-metering catalog. For grid-tie inverter and net-meter installations, work with a licensed solar-installation contractor — net-metering interconnection requires utility approval and licensed-electrician install per Canadian Electrical Code. Companion collections: deep-cycle batteries (energy store) and chargers and inverters (charge controllers + DC-to-AC conversion).
Solar panel basics
| Cell type | Efficiency | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Monocrystalline (mono) | ~18–22 % | Most stocked — best W-per-area, premium tier |
| Polycrystalline (poly) | ~15–18 % | Lower cost, larger area for same W |
| Thin-film / amorphous | ~7–13 % | Flexible, lighter — RV roof contour |
For most off-grid deployments, monocrystalline rigid is the right choice — best efficiency, longest service life (typically 25-year output warranty from the panel manufacturer), proven in cold-climate operation.
Sizing a solar array
Determine daily watt-hour load
Sum the wattage of each load × hours per day. Cabin LED lighting (5 × 10 W × 4 h = 200 Wh) + small fridge (40 W × 24 h × 0.4 duty = 384 Wh) + USB charging (15 W × 4 h = 60 Wh) ≈ 644 Wh / day.
Apply solar-resource derating
Canadian solar resource varies dramatically by latitude and season. Conservative rule: 4 peak-sun-hours / day in summer, 1.5–2 in winter. For year-round cabin use, size against winter — 644 Wh / 1.5 = 430 W of panel.
Size the bank for autonomy
Plan for 2–3 cloudy days without recharge. 644 Wh × 3 = 1932 Wh of bank capacity at 50 % DOD on AGM = ~3864 Wh nominal = ~322 Ah at 12 V or 161 Ah at 24 V.
MPPT charge controller
An MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller converts panel output to bank charging voltage and current at peak efficiency — typically 15–30 % more usable energy per day than a simpler PWM controller. For any panel above 100 W, MPPT is the standard choice. Charge-controller spec must match panel array Voc (open-circuit voltage) and bank voltage.
Installation and warranty
Roof-mounting rigid panels requires structural attachment per local building code and should typically be done with manufacturer-supplied or rated mounting hardware. Wiring from panel to controller and controller to bank must be sized for current and run length. Solar / battery / inverter installations should be inspected and documented per Canadian Electrical Code — for permanent residential installations, hire a licensed electrician familiar with Section 50 and 64. Manufacturer warranties on monocrystalline panels typically run 25 years on power output and 10–12 years on workmanship — terms on individual product pages. UPSPLUSBATTERY 1-year support coordination on every unit.
FAQ
Solar panel for an RV?
Most RV roofs accommodate 100–400 W panels. Use a quality MPPT controller matched to your bank voltage. Mount with manufacturer-rated hardware. Confirm panel dimensions vs roof free area before ordering.
Mono vs poly?
For most off-grid deployments, choose monocrystalline. Higher efficiency means more watts per square metre and per dollar over the panel lifetime. Poly is acceptable when roof / mounting area is unconstrained.
Cold-weather performance?
Photovoltaic cells produce slightly more output in cold than at 25 °C nameplate condition. Sub-zero operation is normal for Canadian-deployed panels. Snow accumulation reduces output to zero — manual clearing or a steep mounting angle helps.
Can I run a UPS off solar?
Indirectly. Solar charges a battery bank → bank powers an inverter → inverter output feeds a UPS, which then protects sensitive loads downstream. Direct DC-to-UPS connection is not standard — UPS expects AC input.
Net metering / grid tie?
Out of scope for this collection. Grid-tie systems require licensed installer, utility interconnection approval, and special grid-tie inverter (different from a standalone off-grid inverter). Consult a Canadian solar-installation contractor.
Warranty?
Manufacturer warranty per panel brand (typically 25-year power output + 10–12 year workmanship). UPSPLUSBATTERY 1-year support coordination. Shipped from our Canadian warehouse.