Boat Solar Panel Setup

There are four important components to a marine solar panel system.

Boat solar panel setup.

However if you are putting them on a bimini or want them to be flush with the roof of your rv i would recommend the ones i have here. Small panels maintain or trickle charge batteries while you re unplugged from shore power. 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. Typical marine solar panels are comprised of a number of silicon cells normally 32 connected together in a series string.

As solar panels are the most effective and the best way of generating electricity these days so everybody wants to install a solar panel of their own. I used windynation s 100w flexible solar panel on my set up because i installed them on my sailboat s fabric bimini. On boats the panels are rarely oriented or angled at the sun for optimum solar gains. Individual silicon cells produce only around 0 6v and so enough of them have to be connected together in series to produce a voltage high enough to be able to charge a 12v battery.

Solar controller except for small trickle charge systems all solar systems should have a solar controller. Https amzn to 2kxtfwo bungee hook link. Popular mounting locations for fixed panels include cabin tops stern rails atop dinghy davits radar arches and bimini tops with some flexible panels being sewn right into the. Solar panels should be installed where they won t interfere with the boat s operation.

The purpose of a controller is to prevent batteries from being overcharged apply the optimal charging current to the battery bank and prevent current from back flowing from the batteries to the solar panel at night. Having the ability to aim the panels at the sun on a boat is not usually a workable solution when swinging on a mooring or at anchor. Ideally the installation will also be adjustable allowing you to turn the panels toward the sun periodically throughout the day which can increase power generation by up to 40 percent. Rollable marine grade panels can mount in a variety of locations using their corner grommets and are easy to remove and store.

Charging with solar panels.