How do solar panels work on boats?

Solar panels on boats work in much the same way as solar panels on land. The first step is getting your solar panel into the sun, where it will convert the energy of sunlight into electricity, which is sent via wires into your solar battery to be stored until the energy is needed.

Should you install solar panels on your boat?

Weekend sailors might be content with a small panel to recharge – over the course of a week – the energy used during a weekend’s sailing. Getting the balance right is important, especially if you want to install enough boat solar panels to more or less cover your power requirements.

How are solar panels installed?

We use a safe and strong installation method that uses friction to hold the rail and the edge of the solar panel securely in place. This system has been tested for heavy rain, hail and even hurricanes, so you know it’s reliable. The panels are then laid on top of the rails, ready to be connected.

How do I connect solar panels to my Boat battery?

The first step in connecting your solar panels to your boat battery is to determine the gauge (size) of the wiring you need to use. Experts recommend multiplying the rated amp output of your solar panel by at least 1.25 (which gives a 25% safety factor) to establish how much energy the wires need to be capable of handling.

Should you install a DIY solar panel?

DIY solar panel installation is an accessible way to lower bills, reduce carbon footprint, generate renewable electricity and gain self-sufficiency with the reassurance of knowing you’ll always have additional energy to rely on when the sun is shining, even when you’re not connected to mains electricity.

Do you need an electrician to install solar panels?

Expensive – Installing solar panels can be expensive by the time you factor in the price of the panels themselves, the charge controller, cables, and possibly an inverter to transform the energy into something more appliances can actually use. In some cases, you may need to hire an electrician to help hook up solar panels to a boat battery.