Description
Global Solar 22042A 42W 12V CIGS Foldable Military Grade Panel ETFE Desert Camo
The Global Solar 22042A is a foldable thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) solar panel developed for the US military under the Portable Power Pack P3 program. It is designed as a lightweight, field-portable 12V battery charger that folds down to a compact carry-pouch form for backpack or vehicle deployment. The panel is unregulated and intended for direct battery charging — open circuit voltage can reach up to 31V when unconnected. The cells use ETFE encapsulation over a PET substrate, housed in a tough rip-stop nylon shell in desert camouflage, and are rated to MIL-STD-810E environmental standards.
⚠ Important Note on Output Performance
These panels are manufacturer seconds (2nds) from new old stock (NOS) that has been in conditioned storage since 2014. Our own in-house testing has found that these panels produce approximately 50% of their rated 42W capacity out of storage. Extended sun-soaking of the CIGS cells for several days did not restore output to rated levels. Buyers should expect approximately 18–22W of usable output rather than the full 42W rating. Please factor this into your purchase decision and contact us with any questions before buying.
Specifications & What's Included
- Model: 22042A (12V) — also known as P3-42
- Solar Cell Technology: CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) thin film
- Rated Power: 42W (note: tested output approximately 50% of rating — see above)
- System Voltage Rating: 12V DC
- Nominal System Voltage: 12–16V DC
- Rated Voltage at MPP: 16.4V DC
- Rated Current: 2.5A
- Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4.0A
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 31V (max design voltage at 0°C)
- Encapsulation: ETFE over PET substrate
- Shell Material: Rip-stop nylon, desert camouflage pattern
- Connector: SAE (Exposed Terminal Negative)
- Color: Desert Camo
- Military Standard: MIL-STD-810E compliant
- Cell Temperature Operating Range: -40°F to 176°F (-40°C to 80°C)
- Temperature Coefficient — Power: -0.43%/°C
- Temperature Coefficient — Voltage: -0.38%/°C
- Folded Dimensions: 14.5 × 8.5 × 1.4 in (368 × 216 × 36 mm)
- Unfolded Dimensions: 52.5 × 30 × 0.1 in (1333 × 762 × 2.5 mm)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 20 W/lb (44 W/kg)
- Includes: integrated SAE output connector, integrated carry/storage pouch
- Condition: New old stock (manufacturer seconds) — see performance note above
Applications
The Global Solar P3 series was developed specifically for US military field operations, where soldiers needed a man-portable, ruggedized solar charger that could fit in a pack, survive harsh environments, and keep radio batteries, GPS units, and other 12V electronics charged in the field. The MIL-STD-810E rating covers shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, and sand/dust resistance — the requirements of forward operating environments. Beyond military use, this type of flexible CIGS panel is well suited for expedition camping, vehicle-based overlanding, emergency preparedness, and off-grid remote charging wherever a rigid panel would be impractical. CIGS thin-film technology was developed in the 1990s and 2000s as a lighter-weight alternative to crystalline silicon, and Global Solar — based in Tucson, Arizona — was among the leading manufacturers of flexible CIGS panels for both military and commercial applications during the 2000s and early 2010s. These panels were designed as direct battery chargers for 12V systems and should always be used with a charge controller when connected to lithium or sensitive battery chemistries.
These Global Solar 22042A 42W CIGS foldable panels are new old stock (NOS) that have been in conditioned storage since 2014. They are manufacturer seconds (2nds) and may show small cosmetic artifacts from the manufacturing process and years of storage and handling — no two units are identical, and some surface blemishes or minor marks on the nylon backing are normal. More importantly: our own in-house testing has shown these panels output approximately 50% of their rated 42W capacity straight out of storage. Allowing the CIGS cells to sun-soak for several days did not improve output. Buyers should factor this into their purchase decision — these panels are likely to deliver around 18–22W of usable power rather than the rated 42W. They are otherwise new and unused, never deployed, and the SAE connector and folding hardware appear intact. Please review all photos carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Specifications: |
|
Brand: |
Global Solar |
Model: |
22042A |
MPN: |
22042A |
Secondary Model: |
P3-42 (Portable Power Pack P3) |
Type: |
Foldable CIGS Thin-Film Solar Panel |
SKU: |
51572 |
Seller Notes: |
Panel only with SAE output connector and integrated carry pouch |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Solar Cell Technology: |
CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) Thin Film |
Rated Power (Watts): |
42W |
System Voltage: |
12V DC |
Rated Voltage at MPP: |
16.4V DC |
Nominal Current: |
2.5A at 25°C |
Short Circuit Current (Isc): |
4.0A |
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): |
31V (max design voltage at 0°C) |
Encapsulation: |
ETFE over PET |
Frame Material: |
Frameless — Rip-Stop Nylon backing |
Color: |
Desert Camo |
Connector Type: |
SAE (Exposed Terminal Negative) |
Folded Dimensions: |
14.5 x 8.5 x 1.4 in (368 x 216 x 36 mm) |
Unfolded Dimensions: |
52.5 x 30 x 0.1 in (1333 x 762 x 2.5 mm) |
Temp Coefficient — Power: |
-0.43%/°C |
Temp Coefficient — Voltage: |
-0.38%/°C |
Military Standard: |
MIL-STD-810E |
Application: |
12V battery charging, portable/field power, military |
Compatible With: |
12V battery systems, vehicle batteries, SAE-compatible charge controllers |
Form Factor: |
Foldable / Portable |
Power-to-Weight Ratio: |
20 W/lb (44 W/kg) |
Condition Notes: |
Global Solar 22042A 42W CIGS military solar panel — NOS seconds, stored since 2014. Our testing shows ~50% of rated output (approx. 18-22W); sun-soaking did not improve performance. Minor cosmetic artifacts typical. New, never deployed. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |