Adding Solar Panels To Boat

Installing one or more photovoltaic solar panels on your boat is a great way to keep your batteries topped off and in larger installations replace the power consumed by house loads.

Adding solar panels to boat.

It s important to take careful measurements so the panels will fit where you want them and get the maximum sun exposure. Solar panels for boats and yachts. If you have a flybridge you might want to use thin flexible panels and mount them on your canvas. In the charging system the solar panels convert sunlight into electrical current and deliver it to the batteries via a solar charge controller.

Having multiple solar panels also allows you to have smaller panels which tend to get in the way less. Energy is power accrued over time so if power is measured in watts energy is watt hours. The most popular use of this type and the sunpower marine solar panels is to recharge the batteries in the boat but it can be used to power the electrical system of the sailboat. If your existing solar panel is 100 watts and you want to add a 50 watt solar panel you will need a charge controller that can handle 150 watts plus 10.

In other words the marine solar panel is just a solar panel that collects energy from the sun and uses it to power the boat in many ways. If you need 200w a day then you could have three 90w solar panels on different parts of the boat and be covered power wise even on different tacks. Small panels maintain or trickle charge batteries while you re unplugged from shore power. The first step is to work out your boat s power requirements.

Your charge controller has to be able to handle at least 10 more than this. A solar power installation on a sailboat is made up of two independent systems. Other than the physical maintenance of your boat fuel management and maintenance is often a logistical nightmare for many boat owners. Ditto for sailboats where you can put panels on a bimini or dodger.

One system to charge the batteries and another system to provide 120 volt ac power for household appliances. Your required power output can be divided among them as well. While it certainly adds a new dynamic to one s life it s not the most straightforward investment since maintenance is a huge component of owning a sea vessel. Add together the wattage of the two solar panels.

Others have placed solar panels on the sides of the boat embedded them in the deck or purchased foldable panels that they can take out and reposition around the ship.