Just installed 100w solar panel

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cliffdale

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I know the position is not ideal, but in the cloudy day today, it was pumping 2 Amps to an almost full battery.

Apart from strapping it to guard wires or pushpit which I do not want to do, this seems the best position.

I'm half on mind to add a second 80w panel but also considering some wind generation.

100_4127.jpg


This is all in prep for an Azores and back trip. I'm looking to run an electric autohelm and fridge. I will have to wait until some sea trials to see how well power imput works out.

Keep you informed!

Cliff
 
Cliff

the panel there is putting out as much as my 60w panel.
Better siting will produce towards 5amps in bright sunshine.
Depends what wind gen you're looking to install
 
Not sure what to do yet.. When I leave for Azores, I could put a second 100w on top of the bimini. I plan to do some sea trials to see how I go.

I,m thinking the power supply is reduced as the batteries were fully charged when I connected the system. Also, the further south I go, the stronger the sun gets.

Cliff
 
The ideal solar panel installation is one that moves automatically so it is permanently facing the sun and never in any shadow.

That probably means top of the mast but it would look horrible, create windage and have long cable runs.

Anything else is therefore a compromise based on available space and convenience of installation.

Do not compare your output to others. It is not a valid comparison.
 
I have an 85w flex panel located in a similar location.

The biggest benny for me are the batts are always at 100% when I return to the boat. I also get about 80% of my energy needs on a good day, scaling down as the cloud thickness increase.

It is what it is... I would think of a towed generator before an air driven bit; there is too much junk aloft for my liking...:D
 
My original 38 watt panel is located there, although it just fits between the halyards and does not suffer their shadows. I suspect you will always be somewhat disappointed with the output there as the shadows are unavoidable. It is astonishing what even the shadow of one shroud does to the panel's output.

Edit added: my panels now are mounted on an arch at the stern. At midday here in Greece I am getting 7+ amps into the batteries. Just after midday the output drops to about 3 amps, when the shadow of my neighbour's mast falls on one of the panels.
 
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The name of the boat on your port side is trying to tell you something. :)
You may find a smaller panel, away from the shadow of the lines will give you a better output. An amorphous panel would also be more suited to that location.
Some solar is always better than none and it's difficult to find a shadow free location on a boat, but the panel output will be limited in the location shown, if you move the some of the lines away while at anchor it would help a great deal.
Enjoy the Azores there will be plenty of sun.
 
Scarboroughsloop said:
Can you not raise the panel to site it above the lines leading aft?
Click to expand...

Possibly could but it will be a winter job. The coach roof is curved so it will be a fiddle to fit. The panel is a flexi panel and takes the curve well.

Ill see how it copes when I start using the autohelm, radar and fridge.

I carry a petrol 2kw generator but I am hoping that the solar panel will help to reduce its use.

Cliff
 
Would it not fit for'ard of the mast? or on the starboard side?

If you do get another one, i'd be tempted to get whatever fits in that space for'ard as it seems quite a clear location for a panel.
 
At solar noon the best I've got from a panel is 85% of its rating (in watts) - see the website photo. Typically I get around 75%. You might want to read the article in PBO last summer, reproduced in the Maintenance Guide. Put simply Vyv is right you'll never (never!) get a good result from a panel that's shaded like that, ever!

Dave Berry
 
If you site the panel above the lines you will increase your output by more than 100%, or looking at it another way you are losing most of your input.
Each cell is connected in series to the next and then banks in series connected in parallel inside the matrix of the solar panel. Shading just one cell in a series array stops it working, so the effects of shading are out of all proportion to the small surface area of the panel shaded
 
pappaecho said:
If you site the panel above the lines you will increase your output by more than 100%, or looking at it another way you are losing most of your input.
Click to expand...
I agree ....siting a smaller panel which did not have halyards across it might give just the same output. Suggest you get a piece of 18mm ply the same size as the panel and mount it on upstands to take the panel above the halyards.
 
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