Global Solar 42W P3 24V Foldable CIGS Military Woodland Camo Solar Panel w/ETFE

Global Solar 42W P3 24V Foldable CIGS Military Woodland Camo Solar Panel w/ETFE

The Global Solar P3 is a 42-watt foldable thin-film solar panel built on CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) cell technology and developed by Global Solar Energy specifically as a lightweight 24-volt battery charger for the US military. It unfolds to a large 52.5" × 30" charging surface and folds back down to a compact 14.5" × 8.5" × 1.4" package — weighing just 3.1 lbs — making it practical for field carry. The panel is unregulated and designed for direct battery charging; open-circuit voltage (unloaded) reaches up to 62V, so it must be connected only to a 24V battery or a compatible charge controller. The ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) outer encapsulation over a PET substrate gives the cells long-term UV and environmental resistance not typically found on consumer folding panels. This stock was purchased new and has been in conditioned dark storage since 2014; these are factory seconds and may carry minor cosmetic artifacts from manufacturing or storage, but are electrically new and unused.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: P3-42 / Part Number: 22042B (24V configuration)
• Rated Power: 42 Watts
• System Voltage: 24V DC
• Rated Voltage at MPP: 33V DC
• Rated Current (Imp): 1.25A
• Short Circuit Current (Isc): 2.0A
• Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 62V (unloaded); Max Design Voltage: 65V at 0°C
• Solar Cell Technology: CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) thin-film
• Encapsulation: ETFE outer layer over PET substrate
• Housing: Tough rip-stop nylon, woodland camouflage pattern
• Connector: SAE (Exposed Terminal Negative)
• Folded Dimensions: 14.5" L × 8.5" W × 1.4" H (368 × 216 × 36 mm)
• Unfolded Dimensions: 52.5" L × 30" W (1333 × 762 mm)
• Power-to-Weight Ratio: 20 W/lb (44 W/kg)
• Temperature Coefficient (Power): -0.43 %/°C
• Temperature Coefficient (Voltage): -0.38 %/°C
• Cell Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F)
• Military Standard: MIL-STD-810E (US Army standard environmental testing)
• What's Included: Panel with attached SAE connector lead

Applications

The Global Solar P3 series was developed under contract to supply the US military with lightweight, portable solar charging capability for field operations — powering radios, GPS units, night-vision equipment, and other 24V battery systems without requiring a generator or access to grid power. The panel's accordion-fold design allows soldiers to drape or lay it flat on a surface while charging, and the woodland camo finish reduces visual signature. Beyond military use, the P3 is well suited for off-grid, expedition, and emergency-preparedness applications where low weight and packability matter: overlanding, backcountry camping, remote site power, and vehicle battery maintenance. CIGS thin-film technology, as opposed to crystalline silicon, performs better under diffuse light and partial shading and tolerates higher operating temperatures, which made it the preferred choice for military field panels in the 2000s and early 2010s. Global Solar Energy (Tucson, Arizona) was a leading commercial producer of CIGS thin-film cells during this era, and the P3 series saw active deployment by US forces in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.