A small flexible panel for places where glass does not belong
The SUNBEAMSystem Tough is a 55 W photovoltaic module made from flexible plastic instead of a rigid frame. That design suits narrow or slightly curved surfaces where a conventional panel would be too heavy or too bulky. Once exposed to light, it supplies direct current to a battery, a charge controller or a small low-voltage device.
Who it is for and how it can be used
Private users
On a sailboat or a dinghy, the panel can offset the draw of a bilge pump or a navigation light. In a motorhome or caravan, it keeps the leisure battery topped up while the vehicle sits idle. A garden shed, a motorised gate or a remote camera are further examples of low-power uses.
Professionals
Tradespeople, site managers and operators of small mobile equipment will find a discreet supplement for beacons, meters or measurement cabinets installed far from a mains socket.
Build and mounting
The module measures 54.5 x 53.5 cm and weighs 1.3 kg, so one person can handle it comfortably. Its SunPower monocrystalline cells show an efficiency above 22.5%. Four 6 mm mounting eyelets are provided around the edge, and the front face is described as completely weatherproof. Two MC4 leads, each 70 cm long, connect the panel to the rest of the circuit without soldering.
Setting it up step by step
- Pick a clean, flat or gently curved surface that faces the light and stays free of cast shadows.
- Pass suitable fasteners through the eyelets without tightening so far that the plastic distorts.
- Connect the MC4 plugs to a charge controller whose input range covers the values listed below.
- Connect the battery last, following the controller’s manual.
If the project touches a household electrical installation, have a qualified installer carry out the connection.
Technical specifications
- Power: 55 W
- Cell type: monocrystalline SunPower, efficiency above 22.5%
- Open-circuit voltage (Voc): 21.76 V
- Voltage at maximum power (Vmp): 19.5 V
- Current at maximum power (Imp): 2.82 A
- Short-circuit current (Isc): 3.16 A
- Output: MC4, 2 x 70 cm
- Mounting eyelets: 4 x 6 mm
- Dimensions: 54.5 x 53.5 cm
- Weight: 1.3 kg
- Material: flexible plastic
Safety notes
An exposed panel produces voltage whenever light reaches it, even with no load, so handle the connectors carefully and never leave bare ends exposed. Make sure the controller can withstand the open-circuit voltage shown, since it exceeds the nominal system voltage. Avoid bending the module to a very tight radius and do not walk on it.
Care and storage
A soft damp cloth is enough to remove dust and dirt; avoid abrasive products. Check the fixings and the condition of the cables from time to time. For long-term storage, lay the panel flat in a sheltered spot with nothing heavy on top of it.
