Solar panels can be a fantastic help to sailors, keeping essential lights and home appliances functioning, even when batteries run low or a generator malfunctions. They are likewise a much quieter way of recharging batteries!
Learning how to install marine solar panels will be essential for the sailor who wants their benefits, however, first, he or she must find out which solar panels are best. 3 kinds of solar cells are commonly utilized in photovoltaic panels, each with its own benefits. The sailor requires to learn these benefits and pick the photovoltaic panels that are best for the requirement.
Types of Solar Panels
The photovoltaic panel must be kept from shading, as shaded cells draw energy on their own from other cells.
- Photovoltaic panels using monocrystalline cells have high conversion effectiveness and take up less space, however, lack shade protection.
- Photovoltaic panels utilizing polycrystalline cells have even higher conversion effectiveness and take up even less area, however, still lack shade defense.
- Photovoltaic panels using amorphous silicon cells have lower conversion performance, and take up more space, however, do have shade security. This can be specifically important on a sailboat.
Marine solar panels are offered in both tough and versatile types. Tough solar panels can be connected to the deck, while flexible photovoltaic panels may be connected to the deck or canvas.
Size and Number of Solar Panels
Learning how to set up marine photovoltaic panels will consist of calculations to determine what size and how many solar panels you will require. This info is readily offered on the Internet by browsing the concern: “What size photovoltaic panel do I need” on your preferred search engine. The guideline is to permit 20% more photovoltaic panel power than you approximate you will need.
Placement of Solar Panels
You will be much better able to figure out where they will be placed when you have actually determined the size and number of solar panels required. The very best places depend upon the boat’s setup and the size of the panels. Take your time and think it through. Check out the instructions that came with your solar panels. You will want to avoid all violations of service warranty terms.
The easy response to how to install marine photovoltaic panels is: in the sun. Select locations that will get optimal sunshine without shaded spots.
In positioning marine photovoltaic panels, think about using additional bars/braces to secure the panels. You obviously desire them to stay steady.
How to Install Marine Solar Panels
Your marine solar panels should have clear instructions for setup. In addition to those, consider the following.
The majority of marine photovoltaic panel systems have three primary elements:
- Photovoltaic panel to gather sunlight and produce a charge for you.
- Charge controller to regulate the charge entering your battery and avoid overcharging it.
- Batteries to save the energy your solar panels developed.
Once marine solar panels have actually charged your batteries, you can utilize that energy to run most 12-volt DC devices. An inverter is a different unit, not pointed out above, that transforms the current coming out of the battery into that required by the majority of home appliances.
To begin with, check to see that the system has a voltmeter. Purchase and set up one if it does not. This will allow you to examine the charge you are getting.
Attach your solar panels safely in place, and link them per the guidelines consisted of in your kit. Use only tinned marine-grade wire ranging from panels to batteries. If you are unsure of the wire you are thinking about, ask for concerns. The routine automotive wire may look similar, however, in marine conditions, it will lose its ability to carry out electrical power.
Handy Tip
Pre-packaged marine solar panel sets take the guesswork out of installation.
Knowing how to set up marine solar panels will be essential for the sailor who desires their benefits, but initially, he or she should discover which solar panels are best. Three types of solar cells are commonly used in solar panels, each with its own advantages. Knowing how to set up marine solar panels will include computations to identify what size and how numerous solar panels you will need. Once you have determined the size and number of solar panels required, you will be better able to figure out where they will be put. When marine solar panels have charged your batteries, you can utilize that energy to run most 12-volt DC devices.
