Installing Solar Panels On A Boat

Mount your panel on your stern rail see photos details below.

Installing solar panels on a boat.

One of the biggest challenges for sailors installing solar power on a. Of course if you want to put glass panels on your hard top and don t mind the weight and bulk then go for it. 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. In our installation we decided to mount three 185 watt 24 volt nominal.

Lifelines a simple place to hang panels. Solar panels should be installed where they won t interfere with the boat s operation. These are dc wires for a 12 volt system so you need 2 sets of wires. Run the wires into the main cabin this usually means drilling a small hole in the cockpit.

The solbian panels are a tremendous option for those needing light weight high output per sq in and easy stowage. Out of the way easily moved from side to side to follow the sun and quickly removed and stowed below. Adding solar power to a sailboat panel positioning and wiring considerations. Shade s impact on sailboat solar.

Sticks put your lightweight solar panel on a sturdy backing panel and. Tie up to the river bank to enjoy the peace of the countryside without having to worry about keeping the fridge cool or restarting the engine. However there can be obstacles to installing solar on a boat perhaps the largest of which is available space. Fitting a solar panel to your narrowboat will give you much more freedom to explore the waterways and canals.

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. Attach marine grade copper wires to the panel. Our marine solar panel design choices. Ideally your solar panels can be installed in an area with uninterrupted sunshine.