| It is quite funny when you think about how a petroleum | | | | a tiny solar module compared to other units in the |
| based company has a division selling solar technologies | | | | market. Its small size and light weight will make it very |
| as well. It is sort of like a corporate oxymoron. | | | | easy when installing the solar module on the roof. |
| British Petroleum (BP), one of the world's largest oil | | | | The frame of the BP solar panel is made from clear |
| producing company has a separate division that | | | | anodized aluminum alloy. The front panel is made from |
| manufacturers green technology products, BP Solar. | | | | high transmission UV proof tampered glass 3mm thick. |
| One of the components they make is the entry level | | | | This is important in order to allow the maximum sunlight |
| Photovoltaic (PV) module, the SX305. The BP SX 305 | | | | through to the solar cells. |
| is a 5 watt solar module made from high efficiency | | | | If you are planning to build a residential solar power |
| silicon nitride multi-crystalline silicon cells. | | | | system by using the SX305, you may need to |
| Performance wise, it is rated at 5 watt with a 10% | | | | purchase 15 to 20 units since it has a low power |
| power tolerance. Hence, its actual maximum power | | | | output of 5 watts only. Make sure you do the |
| output on a clear sunny day is around 4.5 watt. The | | | | necessary calculation to determine the size of your |
| nominal voltage for the SX305 is 12 volt. | | | | roof. With that many SX305 module, you will run out of |
| BP offers a 12 year limited warranty of 90% power | | | | space very fast. |
| output on the SX305. Meaning, after 12 years, you can | | | | The other solar components which you may have to |
| expect the module generating at a minimum 90% | | | | set aside budget for are the charge controller, deep |
| rated power output when you first installed it. | | | | cycle batteries and a power inverter. By connecting |
| Personally, I would prefer a 25 years warranty period | | | | the SX305 in series, the Direct Current (DC) generated |
| because my Return On Investment (ROI) on a home | | | | will be sufficient to charge the battery bank of your |
| solar power system will take that long. As a | | | | solar system. |
| sweetener, BP also offers a 2 year limited warranty | | | | All in all, the BP SX305 solar panel is a small and |
| on the material and workmanship on their solar module. | | | | inexpensive Photovoltaic module which you can |
| How big is the SX305? The unit measurements are | | | | consider when setting up a home solar energy system. |
| 9.9 x 10.6 x 0.9 inches and weighs about 2 pounds. It is | | | | |