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ICP Solar Power
Solar Panels and How They Work
ICP Global Technologies was founded in 1988. They currently market three brands of products. 1) iSun: Portable Chargers with accessories enabling portable power packs, 2) Battery Saver: Battery Maintainers and Trickle-Chargers and 3): SolarPro line of 50 – 300 watt solar panels. Their product warranties range from 5 years to a lifetime on the SolarPro line, a first in the solar industry.
Solar Industry in North America
With Y2K, the California Energy Crisis and now the War On Terrorism, solar energy has spurred a new growth. Currently, solar panel products have increased almost 40% in demand every year. ICP Global Technologies is growing at a rate of 50 – 55% annually.
ICP Global Technologies core business is supplying solar panels to the RV industry and has recently expanded into the marine and automotive markets. Several years ago, the most popular solar module was the 50-watt panel. More recently, it was the 75-watt panel. This past year, the SolarPro 100 watt kit has by far become the most popular seller.
With the launch of the 150-watt, 225-watt and 300-watt kits, it is apparent that RVers are looking for bigger solar systems to work in conjunction with their larger power inverters and banks of batteries.
ICP Global Technologies specializes in a specific market of solar power panels for the RV/Marine industry. The key to their continued growth is innovation and maintaining that focus. When focusing on a specific market, ICP Global Technologies can offer many value added features and benefits with its product line versus a company-offering closeout, discontinued or refurbished products.
What is a Solar Panel and How Does it Work?
A solar panel is essentially a charger that transforms sunlight into a DC charge. When light hits the solar cells in the panels it activates the electrons on its surface. These electrons become agitated and begin to jump from one atom to another, creating an electrical chain reaction in the form of a DC charge. The energy created by the solar panel is then stored in batteries.
Most RV solar systems have three components: 1) Solar Panels which produces the charge, 2) Charge Controller which regulates the charge going into the battery and prevents over charging and 3) Batteries which store the energy created. From the batteries, the energy is used to run 12V DC appliances as well as 110V AC appliances. An inverter is a separate unit that transforms 12V DC current coming out of the battery into 110V AC for use with most appliances.
What is the Difference between the Battery Saver and the SolarPro Plug ‘n’ Play line?
The main difference is the type of solar cells used. The Battery Saver line uses an amorphous silicone cell which are of a dark reddish-brown tint and cover the entire panel. This type of cell is less efficient than the SolarPro cells, but more reactive under low-light conditions. The SolarPro panels are made up of crystalline wafer-like cells welded together and are of a dark reflective blue color.
Battery Saver line SolarPro Plug ‘n’ Play line
Type of Solar Cell Amorphous Silicone Crystalline
Output 1-45 watts 50-300 watts
Main Usage Maintaining & Trickle Charging & running appliances
Warranty 5 years Lifetime
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Over time, solar cells will degrade under the sun’s rays. ICP Global Technologies guaranties that their solar panels will put out at least 80% of their original output in the Battery Saver line for at least 5 years, but on most occasions they will still produce a charge after 10 years or more. The SolarPro Plug ‘n’ Play line carries a lifetime warranty and will put out at least 80% of their original charge for as long as you own your panel.
How Many Panels Can I Connect Together?
Two main factors determine this. 1) the size of the connecting wire and 2) the size of the charge controller (regulator). For the Battery Saver line (5-15 watt panels), which uses 16-guage wire, no more than 100 watts should be connected together to prevent overheating the wires. Also, 100 watts is the maximum that a 7-Amp charge controller would be able to handle. When connecting SolarPro panels together, ICP Global Technologies suggest no more that 300 watts of power and the use of a 20 or 21-Amp charge controller.
Wiring Specifications
ICP Global Technologies recommends the following gauges that should be used when extending wire from a solar panel to the battery so as not to significantly reduce output:
|
Wire Length (ft) |
50watt |
75watt |
100watt |
150watt |
200watt |
225watt |
300watt |
|
0 - 10 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
10 - 20 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
20 - 30 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
|
30 - 40 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
|
40 - 50 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
|
50 - 60 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
ICP Global Technologies solar panels can be installed to another make of solar panels as long as it is of the same voltage output and connected in parallel (positive to positive, negative to negative) to increase total wattage.
Installation Tips
1) Select a location which ensures maximum daily sunshine
2) Mount panels on a flat surface, usually a RV roof or a boat deck.
3) Use the included mounting screws (Battery Saver line) and brackets (SolarPro line) to secure the panel directly to surface. Use silicone wherever hole are made through the roof.
4) Mount lengthwise along RV or boat to reduce drag.
Charging time for most deep-cycle batteries using ICP Solar Panels
The chart below displays the approximate charging times (in hours of full sunlight) for batteries 50% discharged.
| Battery Size |
Solar Panel Output |
| |
15w |
30w |
45w |
50w |
75w |
100w |
150w |
225w |
300w |
| U1 (40Ah) |
20 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Group 24 (80Ah) |
40 |
20 |
13 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
| Group 27 (100 Ah) |
50 |
25 |
17 |
15 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
| Group 31 (120 Ah) |
60 |
30 |
20 |
18 |
12 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
| 4-D (180 Ah) |
90 |
45 |
30 |
27 |
18 |
13 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
| 8-D (22 Ah) |
110 |
55 |
37 |
33 |
22 |
16 |
11 |
7 |
6 |
| Golf Cart* (220 Ah) |
110 |
55 |
37 |
33 |
22 |
16 |
11 |
7 |
6 |
| L-16* (400 Ah) |
200 |
100 |
67 |
61 |
40 |
30 |
20 |
13 |
10 | *These batteries are 6V, so charge times are for 2 batteries connected in series
What Size Solar Panel Do I Need?
The following displays the most common set-up and typical applications
|
Solar Panel |
Commonly Used as |
Recommended Battery |
Vehicle |
Recommended Inverter |
What Each Kit Can Power |
|
BatterySaver Plus |
Maintainer |
Starting Battery |
Car, Small Boat, RV |
N/A |
Maintainer only |
|
Battery Saver Pro 5 watt |
Maintainer |
Group 24/27 |
Small Boat, RV Travel Trailer |
75 watt |
Light, fan |
|
BatterySaver Pro 15 watt |
Trickle Charger |
Group 24/27 |
Pop-up, RV Travel Trailer |
150 watt |
Lights, fan, radio, small TV |
|
BatterySaver Pro30 watt |
Trickle Charger |
Group 24/27 |
Travel Trailer, RV |
300 watt |
Lights, fan, radio, water pump, TV |
|
BatterySaver Pro45 watt |
Trickle Charger |
Group 24/27/31 |
Travel Trailer, RV |
300 watt |
See above, add VCR |
|
SolarPRO 50 watt |
High Output Charger |
Group 24/27/31/4D |
Boat, Class C or B RV |
600 watt |
See above, add Satellite dish |
|
SolarPRO 75 watt |
High Output Charger |
Group 24/27/31/4D |
Large boat, Class B RV |
900 watt |
See above, add Coffee maker |
|
SolarPRO 100 watt |
High Output Charger |
Group 24/27/31/4D/8D golf cart |
Large boat, Class A RV |
1200 watt |
See above, add Microwave |
|
SolarPRO 150 watt |
Power Source |
Group 24/27/31/4D/8D golf cart |
Lg. boat, Class A RV, Catamaran |
1600 watt |
See above, add Dishwasher |
|
SolarPRO 225 watt |
Power Source |
Group 24/27/31/4D/8D golf cart |
Lg. boat, Class A RV, Catamaran |
2000 watt |
See above, add Furnace |
|
SolarPRO 300 watt |
Power Source |
Group 24/27/31/4D/8D golf cart |
Lg. boat, Class A RV, Catamaran |
2500 watt |
See above, add Refrigerator/freezer |
SolarPro Plug ‘n’ Play 100
In a typical week you can run Watt hours required
12-volt bilge pump (36watt) for 3 hours 108
19” color TV (70 watt) for 7 hours 490
VCR (40 watt) for 4 hours 160
Furnace fan (400 watt) for 3 hours 1200
Satellite dish (40 watt) for 7 hours 280
2 compact fluorescent lights (16 watts ea.) for 14 hours 448
Cassette player (30 watt) for 7 hours 210
Laptop computer (40 watt) for 7 hours 280
Coffee maker (900 watt) for 20 minutes 300
* Based on 5 hours of charging in sun Total 3476 watt hours These are average ratings and may vary from appliance to appliance.
To get an idea as to what a SolarPro 50 watt will run divide the above by 2, or multiply by 3 for the SolarPro 300 watt.
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