4 x BC Solar panel 120Wp Black (480Wp)

• 480Wp total power: made up of 4 identical SolarFam BC 120Wp black solar panels.
• Back-contact cells: no visible busbars on the front, for a clean and sleek look.
• Compact per panel: 1050 × 580 mm, allowing for more flexible layout on a campervan roof.
• Bundle discount: more affordable than purchasing the same panels separately.
• More practical roof layout than with one large household panel, especially with skylights, fans, rails, or a pop-top roof.
• Stiffer smaller panels: small frames are less long and wide than large panels, and therefore often less vulnerable in practice on moving vehicles.
• MC4 connection: standard solar panel connectors, easy to combine with solar cables, MC4 splitters, and MPPT charge controllers.

Tip: always measure your campervan roof carefully beforehand. Take into account skylights, fans, roof rails, shade from accessories, and the location of the cable entry. Also, measure the space required for the mounting material. Roof brackets or spoilers often extend slightly beyond the panel, and the required space depends on the chosen mounting method.

An alternative to 4 × 120Wp is one large solar panel of approximately 450 to 500Wp. Such a large panel is often cheaper per watt, but on a campervan roof, this is not always the best choice.

• More flexible layout: four smaller panels can be better distributed around skylights, fans, rails, or other obstacles.
• More convenient for campervans: on many campervan roofs, one large panel simply doesn't fit well, or only in an unfavorable spot.
• Less fragile frame: large household panels of more than 400Wp are long and wide. This makes them less rigid and more susceptible to torsion and movement.
• More practical for vehicle use: a campervan roof moves, vibrates, experiences driving wind, temperature fluctuations, and sometimes slight deformation.
• Practical experience: our experience, and that of several campervan builders, is that smaller solar panels on campervans often last longer and pose less risk than large household panels.
• More choice in wiring: with four panels, you can, for example, wire 2 panels in series and then connect two series strings in parallel.

Four solar panels can be wired in multiple ways. For this set, 2S2P is often the most logical setup: two panels in series, another two panels in series, and then these two series strings are combined in parallel.

Recommended: 2 panels in series + 2 panels in series, then parallel
With 2S2P, you combine the advantages of higher panel voltage with manageable current through the solar cables. This fits well with an MPPT charge controller with a 100V maximum input voltage.

• Create two identical series strings of 2 panels each.
• Combine these two series strings in parallel using MC4 parallel connectors 2-in-1.
• Then, one positive and one negative cable run through a solar cable set indoors, towards the MPPT charge controller.
• This wiring is suitable in many situations for both 12V and 24V battery installations, provided the MPPT is correctly chosen and configured.

Do not connect all four in series
Connecting four panels entirely in series is not advisable with a 100V MPPT controller. The open-circuit voltage of 4 panels is already close to 100V under standard test conditions. At low temperatures, the panel voltage increases further, which can exceed the maximum input voltage of the controller.

Fully parallel is possible, but not always ideal
Connecting all four panels in parallel is technically possible, especially with a lot of uneven shade. However, the current through the solar cables will be higher. You would then need MC4 parallel connectors 4-in-1 and need to pay close attention to cable diameter and cable length.

For this 480Wp bundle, we recommend the Faraday SmartSolar MPPT 100/40. This controller is suitable for up to 520Wp at 12V, making it more than sufficient for this set of 4 × 120Wp. If you want to monitor the installation via VictronConnect or already use other Victron components, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 is a suitable Victron choice; it nominally supports up to 700W PV power at 12V.

• Ample capacity for 480Wp: suitable for up to 520Wp at 12V.
• Also usable with 24V systems, provided the panels are wired appropriately and the charge settings are correct.
• Bluetooth app: convenient for viewing charge status, yield, and settings via your phone.
• Built-in display: direct reading without a phone.
• Suitable for multiple battery types: always set the charge controller correctly for your battery, e.g., AGM, gel, lead-acid, or LiFePO4.
• Favorable price compared to many similar MPPT controllers with this capacity.
• VictronConnect alternative: the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50, suitable for up to 700W nominal PV power at 12V.

With 480Wp solar power and a 40A MPPT charge controller, the battery side must be properly executed. The current between MPPT and battery can reach approximately 40A in a 12V system.

• Preferably use 16mm² battery cable between MPPT and battery, especially if the cable is longer than very short.
• Keep the cable length between MPPT and battery as short and neat as possible.
• Place an appropriate MIDI fuse as close as possible to the positive terminal of the battery or positive distributor.
• For a 40A charge controller, a MIDI fuse of around 50A is logical in many installations, but always match this to cable diameter, cable length, and the chosen connection.
• Use an appropriate MIDI fuse holder.
• Use appropriate crimp cable lugs for the fuse holder, MPPT, and battery connection.

Do you need less solar power or does this set not fit well on your roof? This BC 120Wp panel is available as a single panel and as a bundle with multiple panels. When purchasing multiple panels at once, a bundle discount applies.

• 1 × BC Solar Panel 120Wp Black – 120Wp
• 2 × BC Solar Panel 120Wp Black – 240Wp total
• 3 × BC Solar Panel 120Wp Black – 360Wp total
• 4 × BC Solar Panel 120Wp Black – 480Wp total

This 480Wp bundle is suitable for campervans and motorhomes where you want to build a powerful solar panel set with four compact black BC glass panels.

• Suitable for campervans with compressor refrigerators, LED lighting, water pumps, fans, phone chargers, and laptop use.
• Interesting if you regularly want to charge electric bikes via the campervan's electrical system.
• Can assist with systems using larger consumers, such as a small induction cooktop, provided the battery, inverter, cabling, and protection are adapted for it.
• Increased chance of recharging a lot of energy on sunny days, allowing you to stay off-grid longer.
• Suitable as part of a larger off-grid system with a lithium battery, MPPT, alternator charger, and/or shore power charger.
• Also applicable to a 24V battery installation when the panels are wired appropriately and the MPPT is correctly set up.

These panels are typically mounted with aluminum roof brackets or spoilers. Ensure strong mechanical mounting, good sealing, and a neat cable route indoors.

• Campervan: preferably use aluminum Z-profiles on a ribbed or slightly curved metal roof.
• Flat campervan roof: use 55 cm spoilers. Preferably place the panels lengthwise, with the short sides facing front and back, so that the spoilers guide the driving wind over the panels.
• Boat: use plastic corner brackets on a suitable flat deck.
• Thoroughly degrease the roof and follow the instructions for the adhesive, sealant, and primer used.
• Use an appropriate roof gland for the solar cables.
• Secure cables on the roof firmly with UV- and weather-resistant adhesive mounts and cable ties.
• Prevent cables from chafing, kinking, or moving loosely during driving.

• Mounting: aluminium Z-profiles for a camper van, 55 cm spoilers for a flat camper roof or plastic corner brackets for a boat
• Roof gland for solar cables
• Solar cable set 4mm² indoors
• MC4 parallel connectors 2-in-1 for 2S2P connection
• Faraday SmartSolar MPPT 100/40
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 as VictronConnect alternative
• 16mm² battery cable between MPPT and battery
• Matching MIDI fuse and MIDI fuse holder
• Crimp terminals suitable for fuse holder, MPPT and battery connection
• Possibly extra custom solar cable if the panels are further apart.

Do you want to put together a complete set? Send us a photo of your roof and your current electrical system, and we'll help you with practical advice.

• Connecting solar panels directly to a battery without a charge controller.
• Connecting four panels fully in series to a 100V MPPT controller.
• Incorrect 2S2P setup, for example with unequal strings or incorrectly placed MC4 splitters.
• Parallel connection without considering higher current through the solar cables.
• Using an undersized or unsuitable MPPT for 480Wp solar power.
• Using too light a battery cable between the MPPT and the battery.
• Not placing a fuse close to the battery on the positive side of the MPPT connection.
• Combining panels with different voltages or powers without checking the specifications.
• Leaving cables loose on the roof, with risk of chafing, leakage or cable breakage.
• Insufficiently sealing the roof gland or using the wrong sealant/primer for the roof material.

How do I best connect four BC 120Wp panels?
In many camper installations, 2S2P is the most logical choice: two panels in series, another two panels in series, and then merging the two series strings in parallel with MC4 parallel connectors 2-in-1.

Can I connect all four panels in series?
Not with a 100V MPPT controller. The voltage of four panels in series comes too close to the maximum input voltage and can become too high when cold.

Which MPPT charge controller do you recommend?
For this bundle, we recommend the Faraday SmartSolar MPPT 100/40. This is suitable for up to 520Wp at 12V and therefore fits well with this 480Wp set. If you prefer VictronConnect, the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 is a suitable choice with room for up to 700W nominal PV power at 12V.

Can I cook electrically with this?
The solar panels can help to recharge energy, but electric cooking demands a lot from the total installation. You will also need sufficient battery capacity, a suitable inverter, good cabling, fuses and preferably additional charging options.

Can I charge electric bicycles with this?
Yes, that is often possible if the rest of the installation is adjusted accordingly. Take into account battery capacity, inverter losses, the number of bicycle batteries and how much sun you actually have available.

Why not just one large 480Wp home panel?
A large panel is often cheaper per watt, but on a camper roof it is less flexible and more fragile due to the larger frame. Smaller panels are easier to arrange, stiffer and in practice often pose less risk of damage.

Which battery cable do I use between the MPPT and the battery?
With this 40A MPPT, we usually recommend 16mm² battery cable, with a suitable MIDI fuse close to the battery. The exact choice depends on cable length, system voltage and connection.