Attaching solar panels - novice question

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Mctavish

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I very much would like a solar panel for a little yacht. Can anyone kindly explain how they mounted theirs? Or was it installed for you? Did you get a kit? Did you use marine adhesive? I don't want to drill holes, if possible.
The dimensions of the panel would be about 50cm x 30cm.
Thank you
 
I have a plug at the deck somewhere and from there the wiring to the controller and the batteries. To connect my 45W solar panel I just place it on the bimini and connect its wire to the plug. In other words it's not permanently connected.
 
We've got a collection of semi flexible panels on the coach house roof. They're new ones and I've fixed the in place with screws, as the old one were fixed with Sikaflex. They were a nightmare to remove and left a real mess behind: having cleaned that up, e didn't want a repeat and properly sealed screws have not caused any problems. Wires are lead through a handy dorade box.
 
I've got a 60W panel on my coach roof, it's glued down with normal bathroom silicone sealant, I was advised not to use Sikaflex. I don't know how easy it will be to remove. The cables were taken below through two watertight cable glands which I drilled through the deck, I fitted them under the spray hood as far forward as possible. The biggest problem was getting the cables to the battery and hiding them behind the headlining.
 
We simply lay our similar sized the panel on the cockpit seats and have the wire lead through the hatch vent to the battery where it crocodile clipped onto the terminals while we are not on the boat. In case of high winds I would tie it on with a piece of cord. When not in use ( ie we are on the boat) it lives under the Quarter berth cushion, or tied to the spray hood . Simples!
 
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On my last boat I had a rigid panel. Drilled a couple of holes thro the angle frame then attached it to guard wires with shackles so it hung down. To prop it up horizontal I used a broomstick and some string.
It's possible to spend a lot, lot more
 
I've installed 10 - 20w panels on three small boats and been very pleased with the results. On the first I mounted it on long bolts with an air gap under it as I was under the impression that the air gap kept it cooler and improved performance. On the other two I didn't bother with air gap. Haven't noticed a difference TBH. I've mounted them where the can give output at all times sunlight available. I can't see the point in a demountable installation. I use stainless fixings and seal the holes with PU40. No problems on any installations. Use a PV controller for anything over 5w.
 
We attached the panel to the cabin roof with heavy duty doubled-sided adhesive tape to avoid making holes, and took the lead down through a cable gland behind the headlining to the electrics behind the helm. So far it has worked OK despite three weeks of rain in Skye, but if the adhesive tape doesn't hold up, I may use Sikaflex or something else.

Details on our blog under Equipment|Solar panel.
 
Thanks for the replies. If it's attached (not just propped on the seats etc.) but removable (not glued), how often do you remove it? Has anyone tried to steal it?
 
I understand your reluctance for drilling holes, but rigid panels are so much cheaper than semi-flexible ones. My two 20W panels are mounted in an Ally frame above the hatch garage, which is the only place they fit that I'm not likely to need to walk on. I did the whole job, including a dual battery controller for a lot less than the cost of one 20W semi-flexible panel.
 
Our solar panels are attached to the goal-post mast on the stern of our boat, hinged so the can be angled to the sun to some extent.
 

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I'm guessing that the OP doesn't have a goalpost on his small yacht. I can't see any reason not too do a permanent installation, that way your collecting amps whether you are anchored or sailing and small bolt holes wount leak if sealed and can always be filled with filler if the panel is removed.
 
I have recently attached my rigid panel to the pushpit on homemade U braclets. It can be tilted out of the way; cables taken through deck with PU sealant. Not tested while sailing yet to see if it gets in the way.
 
If you mount a semi flex on the coach roof somewhere, it'll not be in the way and you can tread on it (although I avoid it if I can). A rigid framed panel is always vulnerable to snagging.
 
I have had a variety of small 5w panels on my boat for 30 odd years. I had several on the top of the front hatch. Inevitably they got damage by feet or spin pole. I have now settled on bungees to the edge of the panel on to the top of the main sail cover. I remove it before going sailing. The leads go through the gap in the main hatch to sckets just inside on the bulkhead. (where the switches are). I imagine up to 10w could be mounted this way. Yes a bit susceptible to theft but OK so far. I am on a swing mooring so panel is sometimes not well aligned to the sun but fortunately that is not a problem. Lots of sun. If your boat is always aligned in one direction (trot mooring or marina) then you need to face it south and that can change how you mount it. olewill
 
Maybe not what Mctavish has in mind but if removable/stowable is a possibility there are always the "suitcase" type panels: a couple of rigid panels with integrated controller which fold up. I have the 100w version of this. The one I've got (which I think is pretty common) came with croc clips connected via an anderson connector but I've rigged it up to a dri-plug which connects to a socket over the companionway and thence via a fuse to the batteries. Problem with these is they're not very practical for use under way and they're pretty bulky, so stowage is an issue.
 
Spuddy said:
On my last boat I had a rigid panel. Drilled a couple of holes thro the angle frame then attached it to guard wires with shackles so it hung down. To prop it up horizontal I used a broomstick and some string.
It's possible to spend a lot, lot more
Click to expand...

Ditto.
This has the advantage that you can move it round to suit the sun during the day or passage.
 
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My 60 watt panel is slightly smaller than the hatch garage which has convenient screws holding the frame of the garage in place. I fitted plastic cable holders to the screws and bungied the flexible panel in place from all four corners -I am allergic to drilling holes in my boat.
My new sprayhood has two envelopes built in to accept another two 60 watt panels..
 
seumask said:
We simply lay our similar sized the panel on the cockpit seats and have the wire lead through the hatch vent to the battery where it crocodile clipped onto the terminals while we are not on the boat. In case of high winds I would tie it on with a piece of cord. When not in use ( ie we are on the boat) it lives under the Quarter berth cushion, or tied to the spray hood . Simples!
Click to expand...

+1
 
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