Kogan claims a "maximum 24% conversion rate". The dimensions in the photo are 148cm x 67cm. That's an area of 0.992 sq m. So at 24%, that's a 238W panel.
But can we really believe the figure of 24% ? That's the sort of performance we would expect from A grade monocrystalline panels from top manufacturers. Most panels in this class achieve 21%.
I'm also curious as to what Kogan means by "Built-in overcharging protection". Does that refer to the reverse blocking diode?
Doing the calculations we get a rating of 232W (1476mm × 670mm x 23.5%). So once again this looks like a good deal.
At face value it would appear that Kogan's ATEM POWER panels are conservatively rated, assuming the efficiency is as stated. OTOH, the Solraiser products are overrated and should be approached with caution.
-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 8th of December 2020 09:50:02 AM
Whenarewethere said
09:53 AM Dec 8, 2020
Why do all these companies show 3d renders of panels instead of the actual product?
Probably for similar reasons to internet dating pictures. When you have the product in the flesh one is grossly disappointed!
If a company put 1000w on a panel & 80% efficiency even more people would buy it!
dorian said
10:11 AM Dec 8, 2020
It seems that these two product ranges are sold by different sellers via Kogan's web site.
For example, the ATEM range are "sold by Vicoffroad":
After Kogan were recently busted by the ACCC, I was curious about their solar panels.
For example, here is a 250W panel:
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/yestobuy-solraiser-fixed-solar-panel-sp-d-s-250-bk/
Kogan claims a "maximum 24% conversion rate". The dimensions in the photo are 148cm x 67cm. That's an area of 0.992 sq m. So at 24%, that's a 238W panel.
But can we really believe the figure of 24% ? That's the sort of performance we would expect from A grade monocrystalline panels from top manufacturers. Most panels in this class achieve 21%.
I'm also curious as to what Kogan means by "Built-in overcharging protection". Does that refer to the reverse blocking diode?
Here's a "200W" panel:
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/yestobuy-solraiser-fixed-solar-panel-sp-d-s-200-bk/
The dimensions are 117cm x 51cm. Even at 24% efficiency, that works out to only 143W.
Here's another 250W panel:
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/vicoffroad-atem-power-250w-12v-mono-solar-panel-kit-caravan-camping-power-battery-charging-home-k-vaspzhi-6h-sun-r2/
This time the efficiency is 23.5% and the dimensions are 1580mmx 808mm. That works out to 300W. Even at 21% efficiency, the output would be 268W.
So that's potentially a 300W panel for $210.
Another 200W panel:
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/vicoffroad-atem-power-12v-200w-mono-solar-panel-kit-caravan-camping-power-battery-home-charging-vaspzhi-3h-sun-r2/
Doing the calculations we get a rating of 232W (1476mm × 670mm x 23.5%). So once again this looks like a good deal.
At face value it would appear that Kogan's ATEM POWER panels are conservatively rated, assuming the efficiency is as stated. OTOH, the Solraiser products are overrated and should be approached with caution.
-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 8th of December 2020 09:50:02 AM
Why do all these companies show 3d renders of panels instead of the actual product?
Probably for similar reasons to internet dating pictures. When you have the product in the flesh one is grossly disappointed!
If a company put 1000w on a panel & 80% efficiency even more people would buy it!
It seems that these two product ranges are sold by different sellers via Kogan's web site.
For example, the ATEM range are "sold by Vicoffroad":
https://au.vicoffroad.com/collections/solar-panels
https://www.kogan.com/au/seller/vicoffroad-terms-and-conditions/m/au/seller/vicoffroad-terms-and-conditions/
It's not clear who you need to fight with when you have a problem with the goods.
With the ACCC bust still on my mind, I notice that Kogan is advertising this panel for $209.95, marked down from $419.90 ("seller's list price"):
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/vicoffroad-atem-power-250w-12v-mono-solar-panel-kit-caravan-camping-power-battery-charging-home-k-vaspzhi-6h-sun-r2/
However, the same panel is available at the seller's web site for the same price, but marked down from $345.36:
https://au.vicoffroad.com/collections/solar-panels/products/250w-12v-solar-panel-kit-mono-caravan-camping-power-charging-pwm
What goes on?
$345.36 - 40% discount = $207.22
$419.90 - 50% discount = $209.95
Hmmm, a difference of 10% ...
-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 8th of December 2020 11:59:16 AM