Flexible solar panels?

[davethedog]

Afternoon all,

Has anyone successfully used flexible solar panels on their sprayhood and bimini rather than build a stern arch?

DTD

 

[lpdsn]

I've got a 100W semi-flexible panel stitched to my sprayhood at the moment. Been there since April as an experiment. So far so good. There has been virtually no tendency for the wind to get under the panel but that might not be true during strong winter storms, so I will probably unpick it by hand for the winter.

Long term there's room for two on the sprayhood and, unless this experiment goes wrong, when I buy a new sprayhood in three or four years time my idea is to get cringles positioned to match the solar panel to make it easy to connect and disconnect - maybe with nylon nuts and bolts.

 

[Quandary]

Interested in this thread as I was considering something similar, my notion was to put a pair of panels one each side on the hood below the boom, I thought I might secure them with shock cord joined together and then down to an eye at each side. My second idea (more sophisticated?) idea was a wide bandage of blue acrylic canvas with the panels stitched to it, it was also intended to secure to eyes each side. My permanent berth does not have power so it was mainly just to keep the batteries up to scratch, I did not envisage running the fridge or anything else and I might just put them in a locker when using the boat to let us get the hood down to ensure the dear little midges get their dinner.
Would either of these notions work?

 

[lpdsn]

I thought I might secure them with shock cord joined together and then down to an eye at each side. My second idea (more sophisticated?) idea was a wide bandage of blue acrylic canvas with the panels stitched to it, it was also intended to secure to eyes each side. My permanent berth does not have power so it was mainly just to keep the batteries up to scratch, ...
Would either of these notions work?

I was pretty lucky that I found a panel that was the right size to be stitched on very close to where the supporting frames are, so the stitching is through doubled canvas. The main thing I was worried about was wind getting under the panel and ripping it off the sprayhood, or taking the sprayhood with it. The way I've done it there is only a tiny gap between panel and sprayhood at the edges. It's worked so far.

In terms of battery top up when leaving the boat moored, probably the cheapest way to do it is with a rigid panel tied onto the coachroof or transom. Those panels are quite cheap these days and can be stored below when not in use. I did it when in a marina which charged a ridiculous flat rate for electricity - 100W panel, basic controller and wiring was less than leaving shorepower plugged in for two months.

 

[gregcope]

I have a 100W on my sprayhood. Works really well when not shaded. Less so when shaded.

I had to add re-enforced patches at the corners. Depending on the sharpness of the panel edge this may be required along the edge to protect the Sprayhood as there is slight movement of the panel.

I use bungee to attach. Allows flexibility in fitting other panels.

No issues with wind upto F8!

Work recommend it. Simple. Cheap.

 

[Dukester52]

I also installed a large semi-flexible solar panel on an SO32i. Worked very well! I stitched heavy duty Velcro into the sprayhood, to which I attached the panel so it could easily be removed. This must have been about 5 years ago. The boat has been sold twice since and last time I looked it was still there, so I can only assume it worked well for the subsequent owners too!

 

[philld]

This might be worth a watch Easy Solar Panel Installation For Yachts & R/V'S No only does the guy show how he installed his panels on his bimini, he covers some the electrical stuff as well.

 

[Vladis]

Hello,

I mount mine on the bimini and they go fine after 4 years now:

https://www.vela-navega.com/index.php/solar-panels

Greetings from Kos, Luis

 

[ghostlymoron]

I was pretty lucky that I found a panel that was the right size to be stitched on very close to where the supporting frames are, so the stitching is through doubled canvas. The main thing I was worried about was wind getting under the panel and ripping it off the sprayhood, or taking the sprayhood with it. The way I've done it there is only a tiny gap between panel and sprayhood at the edges. It's worked so far.

In terms of battery top up when leaving the boat moored, probably the cheapest way to do it is with a rigid panel tied onto the coachroof or transom. Those panels are quite cheap these days and can be stored below when not in use. I did it when in a marina which charged a ridiculous flat rate for electricity - 100W panel, basic controller and wiring was less than leaving shorepower plugged in for two months.

Why would you have a panel 'not in use'? Find a way of having it permanently deployed.

 

[lpdsn]

Why would you have a panel 'not in use'? Find a way of having it permanently deployed.

Why? It serves the purpose it was bought for and has paid for itself. I sometimes tie it to the coachroof if expecting to be off grid for any length of time, but for weekend sailing it's not essential. The boat is a very good sailer so no sense in cluttering it up with top hamper such as a stern arch for permanent attachment. If I wanted more solar capacity I'd buy another semi-flexible panel.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

I’m resurrecting this thread because I’m confused! Renogy semi flexible panels seem to be ideal for mounting on the sprayhood. They come equipped with grommets which you might think could be used to tied down the panel. But Renogy say their panels must be fixed down with a silicon adhesive. The grommets are only to be used for ‘non-mobile applications’ whatever the hell that means.

So, can anyone recommend a make of flexible panel that can be used on a sprayhood?

 

[CharlesCollinson]

I had one of these but it died, so replaced with another brand. Flexible panels are hit and miss with regards quality, so expect a degree of replacement. I use rare earth magnets bolted to the panel and another magnet on the under side of the canvas. Works a treat and can be quickly removed in hurricane season. No mess and no holes in the canvas.

 

[dunedin]

I’m resurrecting this thread because I’m confused! Renogy semi flexible panels seem to be ideal for mounting on the sprayhood. They come equipped with grommets which you might think could be used to tied down the panel. But Renogy say their panels must be fixed down with a silicon adhesive. The grommets are only to be used for ‘non-mobile applications’ whatever the hell that means.

So, can anyone recommend a make of flexible panel that can be used on a sprayhood?

I wonder if by “non-mobile” they mean not on the roof of a mobile home - which might be regularly subject to 70mph (or much more going into a gale) winds? In which case a boat shouldn’t be an issue.
But for sprayhood use I would use industrial Velcro stuck to the back of the panel, and sewn to the sprayhood, and the grommets only as backup. Grommets may not be needed anyway. We drilled holes in the corner of the GRP panel, outside the solar area.

 

[rgarside]

Is there anyone with experience of the Sunbeam cells?
Tough+ Carbon Solar Panels | Quick Fix | SUNBEAMsystem

 

[Never Grumble]

Is there anyone with experience of the Sunbeam cells?
Tough+ Carbon Solar Panels | Quick Fix | SUNBEAMsystem

Have a couple of their 55w Tough panels but they are fixed to the deck immediately in front of the spray hood with velcro strips. Been on for 8 months and last time I checked in the winter sun they were still working.

 

[Trident]

I've fitted a number of the Renogy flexible panels to canvas using neodymium magnets - bolt one through the grommet holes and then place another inside the hood. Tested so far in about 45 knots without issue and of course if its really gnarly you can easily bring them inside safely.

I'm a Renogy dealer so they are the only panel I use ( and I'm a dealer because I think its the best) so I really have done this on several boats successfully

 

[Phil Drew]

I've fitted a number of the Renogy flexible panels to canvas using neodymium magnets - bolt one through the grommet holes and then place another inside the hood. Tested so far in about 45 knots without issue and of course if its really gnarly you can easily bring them inside safely.

I'm a Renogy dealer so they are the only panel I use ( and I'm a dealer because I think its the best) so I really have done this on several boats successfully

Hi Trident, what size magnets were they and can you remember where you bought them? Thanks Phil

 

[Greg2]

I've fitted a number of the Renogy flexible panels to canvas using neodymium magnets - bolt one through the grommet holes and then place another inside the hood. Tested so far in about 45 knots without issue and of course if its really gnarly you can easily bring them inside safely.

I'm a Renogy dealer so they are the only panel I use ( and I'm a dealer because I think its the best) so I really have done this on several boats successfully

The Renology product looks good but unfortunately the dimensions are a little too big for what we want to do. Is there another option you would rate? We are thinking flexible panels on the wheelhouse roof of our Hardy 36.
.

 

[Stemar]

One disadvantage of the bimini is that it's likely to be shaded by the boom much of the time. A panel with even a small amount of shade will lose a good part of its output, but you can get round that by fitting a pair so if one's shaded, you still get full output from the other.

A cheaper and, I suspect more robust solution is what I did on my Snapdragon and repeated on my Catalac, fitting rigid panels on the hatch garage. Yes, they'll still be shaded by the boom, but rigid panels are both cheaper and more durable than flexible ones, and a simple frame can be made up from aluminium angle.

 

[Trident]

Hi Trident, what size magnets were they and can you remember where you bought them? Thanks Phil

Amazon - 10 pack of 32-5mm with screws for £15 - these are seriously strong