Victron BlueSolar Panels Review: Mono Panel Specs

Victron BlueSolar panels are Victron’s own rigid monocrystalline solar panels, from tiny 20W modules up to 365W. They’re a simple way to keep a whole system in one brand, with published Voc and Isc figures that make MPPT sizing easy. Here’s what Victron’s current-models datasheet lists.

Victron BlueSolar Panels: Specs

Panel	Cells	Vmp	Imp	Voc	Isc	Size (mm)	Weight
20W	36	21.3V	0.95A	24.7V	1.99A	275 × 450 × 25	1.3kg
55W	36	21.0V	2.63A	24.8V	2.79A	715 × 445 × 25	3.34kg
130W	36	21.1V	6.18A	24.8V	6.53A	1020 × 668 × 30	7.1kg
190W	39	21.8V	8.71A	25.5V	9.17A	1485 × 668 × 30	10.5kg
285W	56	33.4V	8.63A	38.9V	9.08A	1550 × 880 × 35	14.32kg
365W	72	41.4V	8.83A	48.4V	9.30A	1980 × 880 × 35	18.3kg

Source: Victron BlueSolar Monocrystalline Panels datasheet (current models). Other sizes include 30W, 40W, 95W, 150W, 235W and 345W.

Common Specs

Efficiency: about 16% on the smallest panels, up to roughly 21% on the 285–365W models.
Max system voltage: 1000V.
Temperature coefficients: -0.45%/°C (power), -0.35%/°C (Voc), +0.04%/°C (Isc).
Operating range: -40°C to +85°C. Surface load 200kg/m², hail rated 23m/s.
Output tolerance: ±3%.
Cables: the larger panels have 900mm leads with MC4 connectors. The smallest have no cable.
Warranty: 5 years on the product. Power output is warranted at 90% for 10 years and 80% for 25 years.

Sizing With a Victron MPPT

Use the Voc and the -0.35%/°C coefficient to check cold-weather voltage. For example, two 365W panels in series give 96.8V Voc at 25°C. That rises at low temperatures, so it’s too close to a 100V MPPT limit. A 150V controller is the safer choice. Victron’s MPPT calculator does this math for your location.

36-cell panels (20–150W) also suit small PWM controllers on 12V.
56- to 72-cell panels need an MPPT on a 12V battery.

Who They’re For

Vans, boats and sheds with rigid roof mounts, using the 95–190W sizes.
Cabins and ground mounts, using the 285–365W panels.
All-Victron builds that want matching paperwork.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Rigid and framed, with no flexible versions in this datasheet.
Large panels are heavy, at 18.3kg for the 365W.
No bifacial or half-cut models are listed in this datasheet, only standard monocrystalline modules.

You can download the BlueSolar panels manual and datasheet from Victron Energy’s website.

Worked Example: Two 190W Panels on a Van

Two 190W panels (25.5V Voc, 9.17A Isc each) on a 12V battery:

In series: 51V Voc at 25°C. At −10°C, with the −0.35%/°C coefficient, that rises about 12% to roughly 57V (estimate). Comfortable on a SmartSolar 100/30.
In parallel: 25.5V Voc and about 18.3A Isc, also fine on a 100/30.
Output: 380W of panels on a 12V battery is under the 100/30’s 440W nominal rating, so the controller won’t limit it.

Worked Example: Four 365W Panels on a Cabin

Four 365W panels (48.4V Voc, 9.30A Isc) on a 48V battery:

2S2P: about 96.8V Voc per string at 25°C, roughly 109V at −10°C (estimate). That needs a 150V controller.
Output: 1,460W on 48V sits well within a SmartSolar 150/35’s 2,000W nominal rating at 48V.
Current: two strings in parallel give about 18.6A Isc, under the 150/35’s 40A short-circuit limit.

Worked Example: Daily Energy

A rough way to estimate output: panel watts × peak sun hours × about 0.75 for real-world losses.

Array	3 sun hours (winter, est.)	5 sun hours (summer, est.)
1 × 130W	≈ 290Wh	≈ 490Wh
2 × 190W	≈ 855Wh	≈ 1,425Wh
4 × 365W	≈ 3,285Wh	≈ 5,475Wh

Estimates; local weather, tilt and shading change real results.

36-Cell Panels and PWM Controllers

The 20–150W panels have 36 cells and a Vmp around 21V. That’s a good match for a 12V battery on a simple PWM controller, since the panel voltage sits just above the battery’s charge voltage. On an MPPT, the same panels work well too, and you gain some extra harvest in cold weather when panel voltage rises. The 56- and 72-cell panels (285W and 365W) have a Vmp of 33–41V, which is too high to use efficiently with PWM on a 12V battery, so pair them with an MPPT such as a SmartSolar.

Mounting Tips

Use the frame’s mounting holes and proper brackets, such as Z-brackets for a roof or a ground-mount rail system.
Leave an air gap under rigid panels so they run cooler; output drops about 0.45% for every °C of panel temperature rise, per the datasheet.
Angle panels toward the sun where possible; even a small tilt helps rain wash dust away.
Use MC4 extension cables and a roof entry gland to bring the cables inside.
Fit a PV disconnect between the panels and the charge controller.

Picking a Size by Use

Use	Sensible panel size
Battery maintainer for a boat or car	20–55W with a small controller
Shed or garden lights	55–130W
Van roof, 12V system	2–3 × 190W
RV roof	3–4 × 190W or 2 × 285W
Cabin ground mount	365W panels in 2–3 strings

Reading the Warranty Figures

Victron warrants power output at 90% after 10 years and 80% after 25 years. A 365W panel should therefore still deliver at least about 328W at year 10 and about 292W at year 25 under test conditions.

FAQ

Are Victron BlueSolar panels monocrystalline?

The current-models datasheet lists monocrystalline panels. Victron also publishes an older polycrystalline datasheet.

What fuse rating do they need?

The datasheet lists a maximum series fuse of 10A or 15A depending on the panel.

Can I mix BlueSolar sizes on one controller?

Keep identical panels in each series string. Different panel sizes are better on separate controllers or in parallel strings of matching voltage.

Do BlueSolar panels work with non-Victron controllers?

Yes. They’re standard panels with MC4 connectors on the larger sizes, so any controller rated for their voltage and current works.

Are they suitable for boats?

Yes, as rigid framed panels on a bimini frame, arch or davits.

Sources: Victron BlueSolar Monocrystalline Panels datasheet (current models); product page, victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026.