Solar Power for Boats: Panels, Kits or Installation
Solar Company in Vancouver Canada.mp4Solar Panel Kits for Boats / Marine
When installing your solar panel, choose a place in a safe area (not where you'd drop a winch handle). Shading can dramatically lower the panel's efficiency, so find a broad, relatively flat area, such as on a cabin top or a fabricated mount, where the panel catches the most light most of the time. Installations that allow air to flow underneath will improve performance, but this isn't necessary or practical with the walk-on type.
Many boats use specially designed brackets because of the lack of space on deck and the presence of high structures that could cause shading as the boat swings or the sun moves. Some of the lightweight but high-efficiency semiflexible panels can be mounted onto canvas. Power My Home recommends choosing a space where additional panels can be added later if your needs change.
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HOW THE Solar Panels for Boat SOLAR SYSTEMS WORK
Simply put, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels consist of a series of cells that collect the sun’s energy. The photons dislodge the electrons, which create electricity. The inverter will transform the sun’s energy from DC to AC so it works with your home system, and whatever power is unused gets fed to the grid. Curious how to get a PV solar system? Contact us for more information.
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Like most sailors, you want to start with the smaller goal of using solar to power your on-board electronics, your next step is to calculate your energy needs. That sounds harder than it actually is. Simply determine the energy requirements of each piece of electronic equipment on your ship, including the things you want to regularly charge. For example, you should be able to figure out how many watts your phone requires per charge or how much energy your fridge and freezer take to run for an hour. Next, determine how much you typically use each item. If you just like to take your boat out near Vancouver for half a day on the weekends, you won’t need nearly as much power as you would if you plan to live on your boat full-time.
Solar Installation for Boats:
One of the biggest challenges of incorporating solar panels on a boat is finding the space to install them. Unless you are captaining a luxury yacht, space is likely to be at a premium. While solar panels have gone down in size over the past decade, they still take up space.
The best option for you will depend on the dimensions and layout of your boat. Obviously, the smaller the boat, the more difficult it will likely be to find space for panels. Some sailors have solved this problem by crafting overhead structures or racks on which to place 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.
It may be a good idea to work with an experienced solar installation company to determine the best ways to safely and effectively incorporate solar panels onto your boat. This is especially true because where you place the solar panels can dramatically impact how well they perform!
