Small footprint, big reliability. LinkSolar designs and manufactures custom mini solar panels that match your device envelope, electrical target and connector layout—so your IoT node, sensor, tag or embedded product stays powered year-round.
Why Mini Panels Matter
Low-power devices don’t fail from “no panel”—they fail from wrong sizing and poor placement. Mini modules must deliver energy in dawn/dusk, partial shade and cold while fitting strict footprints and connector standards. The win comes from tight matching of panel, regulator and duty cycle—not brute-force wattage.
- Tight integration: exact outline, pad position and wire exit match your enclosure.
- Low-light focus: layout and laminate chosen for diffuse/angled light.
- Predictable autonomy: sized to your worst-sun month and sleep/awake pattern.
- Manufacturable at scale: repeatable QC with serialized lots.
What You Can Customize
- Dimensions & shape: mm-level outlines; rectangles, rings, rounded corners, board-edge cutouts.
- Electrical spec: target Vmp/Imp for 3.3 V/5 V rails or charger inputs; 0.1–20 W typical.
- Lamination & finish: glass/ETFE/PET, matte vs. gloss, resin-potted options.
- Connectors & pads: JST/Molex leads, solder pads, through-hole tabs, pre-crimped harness.
- Mounting: adhesive backs, standoffs, integrated holes/slots for screws or snap-fits.
- Branding/ID: logo, label text, QR/serial for field tracing.
Protective Coating Choices
The top coating protects the solar cells and determines the panel's durability, environmental resistance, and aesthetics. We offer several options to match your needs:
- ETFE: Lightweight, transparent, UV-resistant and cost-effective.
- Glass: Maximum scratch resistance and long lifetime when framed.
- Urethane (Potting): Extreme durability and full encapsulation for harsh environments.
| Coating Option | Est. Outdoor Lifetime* | Typical Thickness | Relative Weight | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ETFE | 7+ Years | 2.5 – 3.5 mm | Light | Balanced cost & performance |
Glass | 10+ Years | 5 mm | Heavy | Maximum scratch/UV resistance |
Glass (Framed) | 15+ Years | 20 mm | Heaviest | Maximum longevity & rigidity |
Urethane | 10+ Years | 5 mm | Medium | Extreme durability/encapsulation |
*Actual lifetime depends on design, materials, environment, and operating conditions.
Sizing That Actually Works
- Daily energy (Wh/day) = Σ(device W × hours in each mode). Include sleep current—microamps add up over 24 h.
- Losses: add 20–30% for regulator, wiring, temperature.
- Worst-month design: Panel W ≈ Wh/day ÷ peak-sun-hours (worst month at deployment location).
- Autonomy: choose 1–5 days based on SLA (security vs. non-critical).
- Duty-cycle smartly: batch transmissions, shorten “radio on” windows, and cap retries.
Typical Specification Guide
| Model example | Size (mm) | Vmp / Pmax | Integration notes |
|---|---|---|---|
MINI-0.5-3 | 60 × 45 | ~3 V / 0.5 W | Button-cell chargers, BLE beacons, indoor-near-window nodes |
MINI-1.2-6 | 113 × 113 | ~6 V / 1.2 W | Weather sensors, LoRa nodes with 1–4 uplinks/day |
MINI-5.8-7 | 137 × 222 | ~7 V / 5.8 W | LTE burst gateways, trail counters, image bursts |
* Guidance only; final spec depends on enclosure, placement, climate and duty profile.
Mini Solar Panel
View all-
113×113mm Glass Mini Solar Panel 2.3W 5.5V SunPower Cell SMT Tech
From $1190 USDUnit price /Unavailable -
60x45mm Mini Solar Panel 0.45W 3V (0.15A), Tempered Glass Front, SMT to PCB
From $990 USDUnit price /Unavailable -
1.3W 6V Mini Solar Panel, Matte PET,SMT SUNPOWER CELL, 85×85mm
From $1290 USDUnit price /Unavailable -
0.33W 2.75V Ring‑Style Mini Solar Panel, PET SMT SunPower Cell Customize
From $990 USDUnit price /Unavailable -
0.11W 5V Mini Solar Panel, ETFE, 35×22mm, 22mA Output
From $990 USDUnit price /Unavailable -
0.18w 6Volt Mini Solar Panel - ETFE 45x45mm
From $990 USDUnit price /Unavailable
Integration & Power Architecture
- Regulators: pick low-Iq (quiescent current) harvest/charge controllers to preserve night autonomy.
- Battery chemistry: LiFePO₄ for outdoor temperature swings; Li-ion for density; supercaps for ultra-cold bursts.
- Cable discipline: keep runs short; size AWG for drop <3–5%; protect with a small inline fuse.
- EMI hygiene: route RF and power separately; add TVS where lightning/transients are possible.
- Field service: label polarity and ratings; provide a test pad for IV spot checks.
OEM/ODM Workflow
- Requirements intake — footprint CAD, target V/I, duty profile, autonomy, connector standard, volumes.
- Design & prototype — drawings, sample builds, IV/aging checks under your light profile.
- Production & QA — EL imaging, IV binning, visual inspection, serialization, packaging.
- Delivery & support — global logistics, spare harness kits, revision control for lifecycle changes.
FAQ
Custom Mini Solar Panels
Can you optimize for low-light/indoor-adjacent sites?
Can you optimize for low-light/indoor-adjacent sites?
Yes. We adapt cell layout, laminate and anti-reflective textures for diffuse light and high incidence angles; we also tune Vmp for your regulator.
How do I size storage for multi-day storms?
How do I size storage for multi-day storms?
Take daily Wh, multiply by desired autonomy (days), then divide by usable DoD of your chemistry (e.g., 80% for LiFePO₄). Add temperature derating.
Pads vs. pre-crimped leads—what’s best?
Pads vs. pre-crimped leads—what’s best?
Pads simplify PCB integration; pre-crimped leads speed assembly and field service. We support JST/Molex/SAE and custom harnesses.
Can you add conformal coating or potting?
Can you add conformal coating or potting?
Yes—resin or potting is available for vibration and moisture; we’ll balance weight and heat with your enclosure design.
What are typical lead times and MOQs?
What are typical lead times and MOQs?
Samples typically 2-3 weeks after spec lock;
Common MOQs start around 5 units. Please understand that for smaller quantities, the per-unit cost may be slightly higher.