SOLARA M-Series User manual

Technical details subject to change. No responsibility taken for printing errors. 6/15/2015
The Diode Box is a vital
safety component that
must not be omitted from
the installation. The By-
Pass Diodes, or Hot-
Spot Preventers, do not
consume any power
under normal operating
conditions. They are only
activated under total shading conditions such as a complete blockage of sunlight
to one or more cells if canvas, clothing, etc. becomes draped on the panel. Under
those conditions the diodes will prevent a cell(s) from burning and destroying the
panel. Mount the Diode Box in a dry location, preferably within the scope of the 8’
(approx.) cable provided. Contact Coastal Climate Control for options if extending
the cable is deemed to be necessary or desirable.
1) C onnect the three wires in the cable coming from the solar panel to the
SOLAR terminals on t he circuit board, following the color coding. The cable
should be cut to the shortest possible length before connecting to the Diode Box.
D) Connections to the Diode Box (Cell Protector)
NOTE: Panels under 35w are not supplied with and do not require a Diode Box.
2) Connect the positive and negative wires going away to the solar controller to
the OUTPUT terminals following the guidance below. Use maximum AWG 12 in
these terminals. If the wire or cable between the Diode Box and the controller is
AWG 10 or larger, a t erminal strip (not supplied) should be i nstalled nearby to
reduce the AWG 10 wires down to AWG 12 for connection to the terminals.
• For a s ingle panel connected to a s ingle controller, or for multiple panels
connected in series to one controller, connect the negative wire to “-“, and
the positive wire to “+”. The middle “+_D” terminal is not used.
• For multiple panels connected in parallel to one c ontroller, connect the
negative wire to “-“, and the positive wire to the middle terminal marked
“+_D”. The bottom “+” terminal is not used in this configuration.
Maintenance:
Your Solara solar panel requires no s pecial maintenance. If desired, it may be
cleaned with a mild detergent that does not contain any scouring additives,
corrosive fluid, or wax. Do not use car-cleaning detergents.
Solara and Coastal Climate Control, Inc. take no responsibility for damages to
solar panels, solar controllers, or any other associated items that may be caused
by incorrect installation and by not following these instructions. For further
inquiries please do not hesitate to contact us.
SOLARA M-Series
12w, 23w, 34w, 35w, 45w, 50w, 68w, 70w
SOLARA Power M-Series
110w, 115w, 140w
Installation Manual
Important! Please read before installing!
Please read this manual carefully.
Incorrect installation can cause damage
that may result in a loss of warranty!

A) Flexibility
Solara Walk-On solar panels are semi flexible. The panels can be installed on up
to a 3% curve; i.e. 1” chord height on a 34” span. The panel must be secured in
such a fashion that it cannot vibrate. Heavy vibration can damage or even destroy
the panel. Use all available attachment points to securely install the panel, and if
securing with adhesive, ensure the glue makes a complete bond.
B) Installation
Solara Walk-On solar panels can be secured either with; (a) a polyurethane
adhesive like Sikaflex 252 or equivalent; (b) with screws; or (c) with a combination of
both (preferred). The Solara range of semi-flexible walk-on panels are designed
for permanent installation on a non-flexing surface.
(a) Securing with adhesive
1. Ensure that all relevant surfaces are
completely clean and dry.
2. Lay the panel in place and add
masking tape to the deck around the
perimeter of the panel.
3. Apply a continuous bead of adhesive
to the deck, 5 c m (2”) inside the
marked area where the panel will be
located. (Pic. 1).
4. Make sure that the bead of adhesive is completely continuous around the
perimeter, and then add a few blobs and squiggles to the interior area.
5. Screw down, and/or use weights, and then add a finishing bead of adhesive
to the perimeter of the panel if desired.
(b) Securing with screws
Solara Walk-On solar panels can also be screwed down,
and the encapsulated backing plate is pre-drilled with
holes for this purpose. Use a 3/ 16” drill to penetrate the
front and r ear coating at the locations of the pre-drilled
holes, then screw the panel down with stainless steel
screws and finishing washers. Do not drill or attempt to
drill any additional holes in the panel. Only use the pre-
drilled fixing points to secure a panel with screws.
C) Electrical connections
Once the panel has been secured in place, temporarily cover it with some of the
cardboard from the original packing, and then run the cable to a dr y location
where the Diode Box is to be mounted. (See separate
instructions for wiring the Diode Box.) A Diode Box is included in
the cardboard packing of all panels of 35w and over, and t his
should be located and put to one side when unpacking the panel.
Mount the controller (purchased separately) in the same general location as the
batteries, and r un wires or cable from the Diode Box to the controller that are
appropriately sized to keep volt drop within 3%. (Consult Coastal Climate Control
or NEC or ABYC tables for guidance). If this wiring run is exposed to the elements
it must be made with cable of a suitable composition and construction. Mount the
controller, and then run appropriately sized wire or cable to the battery, battery
switch, bus bar, or whatever connection points are being used to connect to the
vessel’s battery system. The wiring from the controller(s) to the battery must be of
an appropriate size to safely handle the maximum expected current, and must be
protected with a f use rated for 150% of the maximum current expected at the
controller output. NOTE: MPPT controllers are capable of producing 30%+ more
current at their output than is present at the input from the panel.
Example 1 - One Panel 12 volt system
Example 2 - Two Panel 24 volt series system
NOTE: A special boost controller can also be used to connect a single 12v (nom.)
panel to a 24v battery system.
Please consult your marine solar specialist or Coastal Climate Control Inc. for
other possible wiring configurations.
Diode Box
Diode Box
12v Battery
Controller
Panel
Fuse
Panels
Diode
Boxes
Fuse
Controller
24v Battery