A solar generator you unfold wherever you park
The SUNBEAMsystem Fold, rated at 124.5 W, is made for people who want to produce electricity without fixing a module to a roof: motorhome owners, boat skippers, travellers in a converted van, and occupants of a cabin or garden shed. It opens out on the ground, against a windscreen or on a deck, and packs away again at the end of the day.
How to use it
Place the panel facing the light, secure it with cords or straps threaded through the eyelets, then connect its MC4 output to a charge controller or to a device designed to accept this kind of source. The built-in cable is only 15 cm long, so plan a suitable extension if your equipment is further away. Move the panel during the day to follow the sun, and check now and then that the wind has not tipped it or left a corner in shade.
Private use
For a weekend in a motorhome or a night at anchor, it tops up a service battery without any drilling or installation work. It also suits a holiday cabin where the only outlet is a few metres of cable from a battery.
Professional use
On a remote site or an observation post it offers a portable supplement, provided the controller and battery match the values listed below. Teams that move often will appreciate being able to pack it between two assignments.
Cells and construction
The monocrystalline SunPower cells are rated above 22.6% efficiency, which concentrates power on a small surface. The laminated textile that carries them is described as weatherproof. Unfolded, the whole covers 171.5 x 42 cm; folded it fits into 42 x 29 cm and weighs 2.6 kg.
What it brings
- Easy transport thanks to the folded format and mounting eyelets.
- High cell efficiency for a moderate surface.
- Widely used MC4 connector on the output.
- No permanent installation required.
Technical data
- Power: 124.5 W
- Cell type: monocrystalline SunPower, efficiency above 22.6%
- Open-circuit voltage (Voc): 24.48 V
- Current at maximum power (Imp): 5.97 A
- Voltage at maximum power (Vmp): 20.88 V
- Short-circuit current (Isc): 6.32 A
- Output: MC4, 15 cm cable
- Mounting eyelets: yes
- Unfolded dimensions: 171.5 x 42 cm
- Folded dimensions: 42 x 29 cm
- Weight: 2.6 kg
- Material: laminated textile
Connection and safety
A panel exposed to light produces current all the time: do not handle bare connectors, and cover the module before changing a connection. Check that the 24.48 V open-circuit voltage stays compatible with your controller, and consult the manufacturer’s manual. Any connection to a fixed installation or to the household grid must be carried out by a qualified installer. Keep cables out of walkways so nobody trips over them.
Care and storage
Remove dust with a soft cloth and clean water, without abrasive products. Dry the textile before folding it and store it flat or loosely rolled, away from heat sources and sharp objects. Avoid leaving it pinned under heavy luggage for weeks, which could mark the laminate.
