Flexible Solar Panels

[magicol]

I want to extend our cruising potential and improve comfort levels this year by adding solar power. The boat is 34 feet but set up with few places easily to locate permanent solar panels. I’ve followed recent threads on this subject but have not found many references to lightweight flexible panels which can be attached to the spray hood. Does anyone have experience of this type of set up? Any thoughts or comments for or against would be appreciated.

 

[dunedin]

We have had two Photonics Universe semi flexible 50w panels on our sprayhood for the past 6 years. Feed into a Victron controller. Also have a floating panel - originally a hard 100w used at anchor, but that was binned after a few months as too much hassle and replaced by another semi flexible panel. Worked well - in spite of being told repeatedly that semi flexible panels don’t work, don’t last, can’t be used on sprayhood etc
PS Like Bobc our panels are attached by Velcro - but 50mm industrial Velcro, sewn to the sprayhood and stuck to the panels. Major effort to prise them off, which is only done very rarely. Also had strings fitted to corners but may not be needed. Left up all year round.

 

[Bobc]

I have 4 × 100w panels which attach with velcro. I had velcro sewn onto the bimini. I can live on the hook indefinitely in the summer.

 

[Concerto]

At the boat show I was searching for a square flexible solar panel and found ecobat (formerly Bardon Batteries) offered the same panels as some online sellers but at a much reduced price. Talking on the stand I decided to buy three 50W panels, one to be permanently fixed and 2 to be moveable when I need extra charge.

www.ecobatbattery.com

01489 570770

 

[Sandy]

I am placing 2 * 100 watt panels on the port and starboard pushpit rails this year. Attaching them with NOA Adjustable Rail Mount, thought are if I need more solar generating capacity is to buy a fold out blanket panel for days on the hook.

 

[magicol]

Thank you. Helpful and informative advice. One of my concerns was, in fact, how to attach panels to canvas but clearly it is possible and effective.

 

[lustyd]

The one thing to look out for is make sure you get ETFE panels which don’t fade over time.
Also make sure the panel doesn’t sit over a bar of the Bimini frame or it will crack and possibly overheat.
my flex panels deploy to the cabin roof while cruising and sit above the ropes etc. slight pain underway but worth it. I remove them for bigger passages and stow in a locker. My connection is an Andersen connector in the cockpit locker, then I have various length extension leads I made with solar connectors.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We had 4 strategically placed eyelets fitted to our new sprayhood, for the attachment of a solar panel. I had a spare 100w long narrow one knocking about. This summer it will be charging our outboard battery, separate to the boat system. Our boat is blessed with a lot of suitable deck space for solar, I hope to have a nominal 600w on board eventually. That should give us enough even in winter to run the fridge and heating.

 

[dunedin]

We had 4 strategically placed eyelets fitted to our new sprayhood, for the attachment of a solar panel. I had a spare 100w long narrow one knocking about. This summer it will be charging our outboard battery, separate to the boat system. Our boat is blessed with a lot of suitable deck space for solar, I hope to have a nominal 600w on board eventually. That should give us enough even in winter to run the fridge and heating.

One advantage of the 50mm industrial Velcro for fitting, as opposed to just eyelets, could be that the industrial Velcro is quite thick, leaving an air gap between panels and “canvas”

 

[Chiara’s slave]

For any semi permanent fitment that is a good point. Ours is only for in harbour. We often sail with the sprayhood down.

 

[Bobc]

Lustyd makes a good point. Only buy ETFE panels.