Power supply: Flinraft+, inflatable solar system for yachts with up to 780 watts

With the Flinraft+, Flin Solar is expanding its portfolio with an unusual concept: the solar system floats behind the yacht like a dinghy and can be inflated with any inflatable boat pump. Unlike Permanently installed solar panelsthat require sufficient deck space, or Railing modules such as the Flinrail the Flinraft+ lies on a raft. When inflated, the system measures 1.7 x 1.15 metres (300 W) or 1.7 x 2.3 metres (600 W) and weighs 14.5 or 23.5 kilograms. When folded, it can be stowed compactly in the padded bag.

Bifacial cells utilise water reflections

The special feature of the Flinraft+ is the bifacial solar cells, which convert light into electricity on both sides. According to the manufacturer, the reflections of the sun's rays on the surface of the water mean that the solar modules generate significantly more energy than modules on the front alone. The 300 watt version is said to deliver up to 390 watts, the 600 watt version up to 780 watts. The modules are rear-ventilated and benefit from natural cooling due to their proximity to water. The efficiency is 23 per cent. The system is waterproof to IP67 and is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 40 knots.

Plug-in system with five metre cable

The Flinraft+ is connected to the charge controller on board via a five metre cable with MC4 plugs. The open-circuit voltage is 72 volts (VOC), and at the maximum power point (VMPP) the raft operates at 60 volts. The short-circuit current is 5.4 amps (300W+) or 10.8 amps (600W+). The modules have nine or 18 bypass diodes, which minimise energy loss in the event of partial shading. Several Flinraft rafts can be combined to increase the available solar area as required without losing deck space. The 300-watt version costs 2,150 euros; the 600-watt version costs 3,750 euros.to see at boot: Hall 10, Stand F64

Technical data:

Flinraft+ 300 W:

• Dimensions (inflated): 1,700 x 1,150 x 150 mm
• Pack size: 1,200 x 600 x 200 mm
• Weight: 14.5 kg
• Power, monofacial: 300 W, bifacial: 390 W
• Current at MPP (IMPP): 5.00 A, bifacial: 6.50 A
• Bypass diodes: 9

Flinraft+ 600 W:

• Dimensions (inflated): 1,700 x 2,300 x 150 mm
• Pack size: 1,200 x 600 x 300 mm
• Weight: 23.5 kg
• Power, monofacial: 600 W, bifacial: 780 W
• Current at MPP (IMPP): 10.0 A, bifacial: 13.0 A
• Bypass diodes: 18

General data (both models):

• Cable length: 5 m
• Connector type: MC4
• Open circuit voltage (VOC): 72.0 V
• Voltage at MPP (VMPP): 60.0 V
• Protection class: IP67
• Efficiency: 23 %

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