DIY Solar Panel Kit 80W – 36 Mono Cells 3x6

The MR WATT 80W DIY solar panel kit contains 36 grade-A half-cut monocrystalline 3"x6" (78x156 mm) solar cells plus the accessories to connect them. With 36 cells in series you build a 12V nominal panel which, thanks to the rectangular cells, can become a strip just over 30 cm wide. We designed this kit for the spaces where a commercial panel will not fit.

Why choose 3x6 half-cut cells

The 78x156 mm cell is a 6" cell cut in half. Each half cell delivers about 2.2 W at roughly 4 A, less than half the current of a full cell. That brings two concrete advantages:

• Narrow shapes: two columns of 18 cells give a strip of about 32x146 cm that fits between two skylights, along a roof edge or on a bimini canvas.
• Lower current: fewer resistive losses in ribbons and cables, and a 10 A PWM controller is more than enough.

K36MS3-AH technical specifications

How big your panel will be

• 2 columns of 18 cells: a strip of about 32x146 cm, the typical half-cell shape.
• 4 columns of 9 cells: about 63x73 cm, almost square.
• 6 columns of 6 cells: about 95x48 cm, low and wide.

Sizes assume 3 mm between cells, frame excluded. You need a 60-80 W soldering iron with a flat tip, a smooth heat-insulating surface and an encapsulation method (EVA, clear silicone resin such as QSIL 216, or double glass), not included. Guides and videos are in the Learning Zone on mrwatt.eu and on our YouTube channel MRWattDIY.

What you can do with it every day

In Southern Europe an 80 W panel produces on average about 0.3 kWh per day over the year, a bit more on summer days. That is enough to keep a parked campervan's service battery charged, run LED lights and the water pump, recharge phones and tablets, or keep a moored boat's engine battery topped up.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is in the kit?

36 grade-A half-cut monocrystalline 78x156 mm solar cells, a few spare cells to make up for breakages during soldering or shipping, tab wire and bus wire, flux and a Schottky diode. The soldering iron, encapsulation materials, frame, junction box and charge controller are not included.

What panel do I get by connecting the 36 cells in series?

An 80 W, 12V nominal panel with about 19 V at maximum power, 22-23 V open-circuit and about 4 A of current: values suited to charging a 12V battery through a PWM or MPPT controller.

Are half cells harder to solder?

No, they are soldered just like full cells: the ribbon runs from the front (negative) of one cell to the back (positive) of the next. Being narrower, they are also slightly sturdier to handle. Use a 60-80 W iron and don't press down with the tip.

Which charge controller do I need?

A controller is always required: connecting the panel straight to the battery overcharges it, with a risk of electrolysis and explosion. At about 4 A a 10 A PWM controller is enough.

Can I get more power in the same space?

If space allows, our 160 W kit with 36 full 156x156 mm cells doubles the power for the same number of cells, but with twice the area and over 8 A of current. If you need a 24V panel instead, there is the 160 W kit with 72 half cells of the same size.