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Lightweight flexible solar panels installed on a touring vehicle roof

Sunman eArc · glass-free solar

Sunman Energy

Sunman eArc lightweight solar panels

Compare glass-free, lightweight crystalline-silicon panels for caravans, motorhomes, boats, vehicles and other installations where conventional framed glass modules may not suit the available surface or weight.

Lightweight, glass-free Sunman eArc flexible solar panels for caravans, boats and curved roofs.

8 current Sunman products
Glass-free eArc construction using lightweight composite materials
Local technical help with sizing, mounting and controller matching

Why eArc is different

Solar for weight- and shape-sensitive surfaces

Sunman replaces conventional module glass with proprietary lightweight composite materials. Exact weight, thickness, flexibility, electrical ratings and mounting limits vary by model.

Glass-free construction

eArc modules use crystalline-silicon cells with composite front materials instead of conventional module glass.

Low weight and profile

Compare exact dimensions and mass where roof loading, panel height or handling are important to the installation.

Model-specific mounting

Surface support, permitted bend, adhesive method, cable exit and thermal requirements must follow the selected panel instructions.

Quick daily-charge check

Estimate solar amp-hours per day

Enter the installed panel power and battery voltage, then choose the nearest capital city and summer or winter conditions.

W
Total rated power of the connected panels.
bank
Nominal voltage of the battery bank.
Uses long-term BOM solar exposure nearby.
Summer: Dec–Feb. Winter: Jun–Aug.
Estimated solar charge into the battery
170.7 Ah/day Practical charge

Melbourne summer uses 6.4 peak-sun hours and an 80% system allowance: about 2 kWh/day into a 12V bank.

Estimate only: panel watts × seasonal peak-sun hours × 80% system allowance ÷ nominal battery volts. Capital-city assumptions use Bureau of Meteorology mean daily solar exposure for summer (Dec–Feb) and winter (Jun–Aug). Shade, temperature, orientation, weather, wiring and controller limits can reduce charging.

Complete current range

Shop all Sunman eArc panels

Use the catalogue filters for wattage, dimensions, availability and other verified attributes. Confirm the exact datasheet, mounting instructions, controller compatibility and application warranty before installation.

Browse 8 products

Customer stories

Five-star support, from planning to after-sales

Before final selection

Size, mount and connect the exact eArc model

Available area and nameplate watts are only the start. Check panel construction, electrical data, surface support, cable exit, mounting method and controller limits together.

Estimate daily solar needs

Start with loads, seasonal conditions and battery voltage before choosing the available panel area and wattage.

Open the solar sizing tool

Review lightweight panel mounting

Check surface preparation, support, adhesive method, cable routing and heat-management considerations before installation.

Read the mounting guide

Check current Sunman technical data

Use the exact product datasheet and installation instructions for electrical, mechanical and warranty requirements.

Visit Sunman Energy

System check

Want the panel and controller checked together?

Send the details below and our off-grid team can help narrow the suitable Sunman model and surrounding solar components.

  • Available mounting length, width, curvature, surface and weight limit
  • Daily energy target, season, location and expected shade
  • Battery voltage, chemistry, capacity and charge-current limit
  • Proposed panel quantity, array wiring, controller and cable length
Ask an expert to check it Final mounting and wiring must follow the exact product instructions and applicable installation requirements.

Selected solar panel guides

Plan the array around the surface and system

Six practical guides covering sizing, construction, specifications, cell technology, panel angle and array wiring.

Solar Panel Wiring Guide

Solar 4 RVs guide

Solar Panel Wiring Guide

SOLAR 4 RVS OFF-GRID, EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE SOLAR PANEL WIRING GUIDE Please read this document in full before commencing installation.   To maximise the...

Read guide

About this range


Sunman eArc Flexible Solar Panels: Lightweight Power Without the Glass

Sunman eArc solar panels replace heavy tempered glass with glass fibre-reinforced composite polymers, similar in concept to the materials used in aircraft windows. The result is a thin, light panel that suits roofs and vehicles where a rigid glass panel is too heavy or will not conform to the surface. The range runs from a compact 9V 85W module up to the 430W eArc flexible solar panel. That spread lets you size a system for a small van roof, a large motorhome or a lightweight building installation.

As featured in ABC News: Sunman is part-owned by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Sunman eArc lightweight solar panel compared with conventional rigid glass solar panels

Why Choose eArc Lightweight Solar Panels

Development of the eArc composite structure was supported by $3.3M in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The aim was durability comparable to conventional framed panels at a fraction of the weight. Key specifications include:

  • Lightweight: the 175W frameless panel weighs approximately 3kg
  • Thin profile: around 2mm thick in frameless form for a low, aerodynamic installation
  • Hail tested: tested with 35mm, 200g ice stones at 39.5m per second
  • Load rated: 2400Pa wind and 2400Pa load ratings
  • Efficient cells: monocrystalline cells
  • Warranty: 10-year product warranty for building use and 5 years for mobile applications
  • Accreditation: Clean Energy Council (CEC) accreditation on the SMA and SMD Series
Sunman eArc solar panel accreditations and standards

Choosing the Right Sunman Panel

Start by matching wattage to your available roof space and daily energy use. The 430W, 320W and 230W eArc flexible solar panels suit larger motorhomes, buses and building roofs. The 175W and 200W Black Square models, both with the junction box underneath, keep cabling tidy and protected on caravan and boat roofs. The 100W Narrow panel fits slim gaps between hatches and roof racks, and is also offered as a kit with a Victron 20A BlueSolar PWM charge controller for a simple starter setup. The 9V 85W panel suits layouts that call for a lower-voltage module.

Proven projects include the world's first solar-powered train in Byron Bay. Another is the Sydney Maritime Museum heritage building, where 812 panels (235kW) were installed on a roof that could not carry glass-framed solar panels.

Compatibility Notes

eArc panels are available frameless for curved surfaces or with a 5.6mm black anodised aluminium frame. The framed version offers some flex and helps create an air gap for cooling, but it is not bendable. Choose the junction box underneath versions when you want cable entry through the roof. Before fitting, confirm your charge controller's voltage and current limits match the panel and your 12V or 24V battery bank. For adhesive selection, surface preparation and cable routing, follow our flexible and lightweight solar panel mounting guide.

Upgrade to tough, lightweight solar that protects your payload and roof structure. Compare the Sunman eArc sizes below and order the panel that fits your build today.

Technical buying questions

Sunman eArc solar panel questions

These are selection principles. The current datasheet, installation manual, warranty and controller instructions for the exact products remain the authority.

What makes a Sunman eArc panel glass-free?

Sunman uses crystalline-silicon solar cells with proprietary lightweight composite materials in place of the conventional front glass used by many rigid modules. Construction, surface layers, weight, thickness and ratings still vary by exact eArc model, so use its current datasheet.

Can every Sunman eArc panel be installed on a curved surface?

No. A lightweight or flexible description does not permit unlimited bending. Check the exact panel minimum bend radius, permitted bending direction, support requirements and installation method. Do not crease, twist or force a panel to match a surface outside its instructions.

Can a Sunman panel be bonded directly to a caravan, boat or vehicle roof?

Only with a mounting method approved for the exact panel and surface. Confirm structural support, surface preparation, adhesive or mechanical attachment, thermal movement, drainage, cable routing, junction-box clearance and future removal. Follow both the panel and adhesive-system instructions.

Does every Sunman panel suit a 12V battery system?

No. Panel voltage is not the same as battery voltage. Use Voc, Vmp, Isc and Imp for the exact panel and proposed series or parallel array. Some compact Sunman models have atypical operating voltages and may require a particular controller or array arrangement.

Should I choose a top or underside junction box?

The junction-box position changes the required cable route, mounting clearance, roof penetration and access. An underside box needs a suitable recess or clearance without loading the box or cable, while a top box remains visible and must be positioned and protected according to the panel instructions.

Can Sunman eArc panels be walked on?

Do not assume a lightweight panel is walkable. Concentrated foot pressure, sharp objects and unsupported areas can damage cells or laminates. Keep panels out of traffic paths unless the exact product and completed supported installation explicitly allow the expected load.

How do I choose a solar controller for Sunman panels?

Calculate the complete array Voc, Vmp, Isc, Imp and power, including cold-temperature voltage and the chosen series or parallel layout. Keep those values within the controller limits and match its battery output, charge current and profile to the battery. Check every relevant datasheet and manual.

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