Cheap vs Expensive solar panels

[duncan99210]

I’ve got 2 x 40 watts SunWare panels, 1 x 20 watt Spectralite panels, both semi flexible on the forward end of the coachhouse roof. Been there for 6 years now, doing fine. Bought from Marlec (Marlec - A UK Manufacturer of Battery Charging Off-Grid Wind Turbines). I’ve also got an 80 watt semi flexible fixed to the hatch garage from 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine. They don't seem to do the 80 watt one anymore.
I did try some relatively cheap ones off eBay once: didn’t last a season before they failed by delaminiating.
I‘ve also got a rigid Vectron 80 watt panel on top of the bimin: in retrospect, I’d have done better with that one to have gone for a larger panel, as it is much lighter than I’d expected and the frame could well cope with a longer and slightly wider panel.
I did lots of sums before going for this solution and opted to spend money on mainly textured semi flexible panels and avoid the expense of making/buying a stern gantry. I may yet opt for some guardrail mounted panels.

 

[typhoonNige]

I have 100w rigid panels mounted either side of the cockpit which can be easily removed and tilted. These were a cheap eBay purchase 7 years ago and they work just as well now. In contrast the deck mounted Sunware panels were watt for watt almost 10 times the price and have not fared well. The output has been disappointing in the tropics and the deck beneath them was affected by the heat. One 48w panel delaminated and was replaced under warranty before leaving the U.K. It’s replacement also failed so is being replaced with a Lensun semi flexible as it is the only one that fits and has similar output. One Sunware, a 32 watt one bought secondhand is still working but the output has dropped significantly over the 8 years it’s been fitted. The two rigid panels have worked faultlessly throughout an Atlantic circuit and other extensive cruising but they come off if I’m away from the boat and don’t need the beer to be kept cold!

 

[KAM]

I found that running a low viscosity anaerobic adhesive round the edge helped significantly with the delamination problem.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Probably because they’re horrible haha! In a marina or tight anchorage they’re dam inconsiderate. Also I see so many people mounting wind turbines next to their solar panels which is pointless. The loss in solar performancewouldn’t even be made up by the added power from the turbine. Anyone with the ability to monitor the output of the panels and seeing how much they drop just with partial shading with testify to that.

If you can get the quietest one on the market and put it up the mizzen mast then is just about justify it.

I’ve also heard the added subconscious anxiety they add to skipper and crew due to the noise. At anchor when you want to rest there’s a constant whirring which can keep you on edge.

additionally they’re mostly useful on a passage to power an electric auto pilot so for coastal cruising power is less of a problem given many people recharge on shore power and for off shore then I personally prefer my windvane steering.

I’d be going hydro power before I had to consider wind.

Wind generators .... I have done several long distance trips with wind generators. In trade wind passages they are near useless.
I used to have an Ampair. It was, relatively speaking, quiet. Friends of mine had the convertible model : tow generating while under way, hoist up into the rigging while at anchor; he was quite happy with that. He had impregnated the last four feet of the tow line with epoxy to stop predators biting through the line.
I have also sailed with a newer and noisier type. It felt like being chased by a low flying aircraft across the Pacific and back.

We now have solar - with 300 W of cheapo rigid panels. There is absolutely no comparison in efficiency, cost and convenience.

 

[KAM]

Even here on the windy dull west coast of Scotland solar beats wind on a boat in summer. I got rid of my turbine years ago. There seems to be one type of wind turbine which makes a particularly antisocial screeching noise. Their owners seem oblivious to the disturbance they cause in a quiet anchorage.