Adding a flexable solar panel

[Marceline]

Hello again - I'm hoping for some advice on adding a flexable solar movable panel onto our small 24' sailboat

We only daysail in no more than F5 and wondering if having something we can dismantle at the end of the day/store down below might be an idea, and that we might be able to put it on different places on the boat to get the most sunshine

egs:
- we're at anchor for a few hours and we have a temp tarp over the boom for shade but to attach the panel on top of it on one side so its getting a lot of sun
- we're underway and wanted to put it on the spray hood or at the foot of the mast - won't get as much sun but on certain points of sail we would

are there 'mounting kits' available for those, or is it more rig something up/sew something custom ? We'd rather not drill into the hull so pref something we could velcro/tie down

we have a portable 1kw solar battery generator so we don't need to route it to a dedicated inverter/battery etc - its just lashed safely down below and have the cables passed down there

EcoFlow - POWER A NEW WORLD | EcoFlow UK


any advice welcome, and also any recommend of brands of panel would be very welcome

we are planning to have a more permanent solar solution for next season but this is just to get us started

 

[thinwater]

I've had larger boats (see avatar) and I currently sail a 24-foot trimaran (corsair F-24). I STRONGLY recommend you install the panel permanently, probably as I did. You will get more use from it and it will probably last longer because of reduced handling.

The problem is that the cells themselves are not actually flexible, and repeated flexing, even slight, results in micro-cracking. They last much longer if mounted to a rigid surface. My cheapo panel is 14 years old and doing fine, because I don't move it. I screwed mine to the turtle, but HD Velcro would work fine (3M Dual Lock is perfect for this--designed for semi-permanent installation).

super simple solar

 

[vyv_cox]

No

I've had larger boats (see avatar) and I currently sail a 24-foot trimaran (corsair F-24). I STRONGLY recommend you install the panel permanently, probably as I did. You will get more use from it and it will probably last longer because of reduced handling.

The problem is that the cells themselves are not actually flexible, and repeated flexing, even slight, results in micro-cracking. They last much longer if mounted to a rigid surface. My cheapo panel is 14 years old and doing fine, because I don't move it. I screwed mine to the turtle, but HD Velcro would work fine (3M Dual Lock is perfect for this--designed for semi-permanent installation).

super simple solar

I agree but for different reasons. We had a flexible panel that I fondly imagined I could move around according to point of sail/optimum sun. I soon found that six strops were needed to stop it flapping continuously, which of course took an age to untie and tie again. The only answer was to attach it almost permanently to the hood (we did not have a bimini then) but I like to sail with the hood down whenever possible.

It was not long before I built an arch and attached rigid panels permanently.

 

[Trident]

Neodymium magnets are your friend - I've fitted several panels to biminis etc like this - bolt flat magnets to the eye holes in the panels

Then have matching magnets inside the fabric - we've tested up to about 30 knots with 175 w panels (so about 1.5m by 66 cm)

One boat has had three seasons now this way cruising all around the UK and northern France with no issues - and whilst older flexi panels have had a lot of issues, the good quality modern panels such as the new generation Renogy are very hardy, long lasting and reasonably prices .

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Silicon the biggest one that will fit to the foredeck, job done. You’ll never come to the boat and find a flat battery.

 

[davidmh]

I use a small rigid panel which I mount when I am away from the boat or when I am at anchor for long periods. Its quick and esy to unplug and stow below. It avoids the problems when folding and unfolding or rolling up a flexible panel.

David MH

 

[thinwater]

I use a small rigid panel which I mount when I am away from the boat or when I am at anchor for long periods. Its quick and easy to unplug and stow below. It avoids the problems when folding and unfolding or rolling up a flexible panel.

David MH

But if they last over 20 years, does taking it below, along with the bumps, actually extend it's life? I kind of doubt it, with the banging, plugging and unplugging, and storing. What is your time worth? Do you always go to the trouble? Will the tech change so much in 20 years that it becomes inefficient anyway? Will the next owner change it for something different anyway?

My first panel panel was rigid, I moved it, and it didn't hold up that well anyway. What a PITA.

The cheaper solution, both durability and work, is to screw or Velcro it down (or something similar). Moving breaks stuff.

 

[onesea]

We ended up with solar panels, because they where cheaper than replacement side screens. We also didn't want side screens to the top guard rail

Mounted as we have with middle guard rail through a cable gland to protect the guard rail. We have found we can tilt them if required, as they are tied down at the bottom by light line. Which can also hold them up.



Simple cheap, effective dual purpose.

An hour's solar at anchor is not going to do much, a constant feed will do much more.

 

[Neeves]

You can buy hinged panels, so they are rigid and fold to half their size. You can buy 'solar blankets' which are a number of rigid panels wired together and secured to a cloth back. You can fold them up and store them down below. Both sorts would be available from a caravan retail outlet.

I've seen these solar shingles, advertised - which might fit on a lifeline/guard rail - but have no idea where you buy them

428.55€ |Solar dachs chind eln/ ziegel Stein beschichtete Metalldach baustoffe Solarenergie Dachziegel| | - AliExpress

Jonathan

 

[stranded]

We have just added a photonic universe 150W folding rigid panel as a roaming supplement to our fixed panels. Heavy enough to be stable just free standing on its adjustable legs, or tied down with a single strop if it gets a bit sporty. It can nearly always be orientated perfectly towards the sun, so output usually exceeds that of of our 180W rail mounted panels. A decent quality case for stowing, and not much money. Obviously will only work if you have the real estate to mount it.

 

[Marceline]

cheers so much everyone for the advice and suggestions - really helpful and will do more research

 

[B27]

We've found that a couple of smaller panels is easier to find space for than one big one.

 

[Aquanaught]

We use a folding panel kit which is stored below and deployed at anchor and with bungies can be moved to appropriate side of boat or clipped to sprayhood if needed on route. Mostly used to keep fridge powered. Foldable solar kit