Mounting solar panels on side guard rails - any tips and experiences?

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West Coast

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Hi all - been looking at where to fit some solar panels. Having worked out my power requirements, and considering realistic power outputs from solar, I have settled on installing circa 200W - 250W of panels. I am considering usual options such as flexi panels on the deck, fixed panels on a solar arch etc. Boat is an aft cockpit 44' AWB, sailing is mostly Scotland west coast.

I am also considering the idea of fitting the solar panels on the guardrails on either side of the cockpit. I have seen this on a similar sized boat nearby - where the owner replaced the conventional 1" SS stanchion post with wire rail arrangement to a much more rigid 1" SS tube post and rail system and then mounted a rigid 1100mm x 550mm solar panel on each side, total 200W. The panels are secured to the 1" tubes with a neat looking adjustable bracket system (NOA) and can be adjusted as needed.

Just looking for advice and experiences from those who have a similar arrangement - have you found this a workable arrangement both at anchor and underway? This would seem to be an easier install option compared to an arch, allow easy adjustment, cleaning etc. However, how practical is this type of arrangement when underway?

Appreciate the wisdom of the forum!

Thanks
 
We have this setup on a 44ft CC. Four panels in total. 180w panels. Two per side. Had the same set up on previous boat as well. Works very well. We leave them deployed at sea. They can be adjusted so we keep them in the sun whilst sailing. In wet and bumpy weather the windward ones can be tilted vertically so they make spray dodger. Love this setup. We wouldn't do it any other way.
 
Our installation is exactly as you describe and works a treat. It was a straightforward DIY job and I got all the SS components online from Seascrew. Rather than rely on the grub screws to keep the end caps in place, I had them welded (the only non DIY bit). I thought that the NOA brackets may need some support but that hasn’t proven necessary. I wired my panels in parallel (to an MPPT controller) as given the locations, one panel can be in shade, especially when the Bimini is rigged).
 
I have a 115w panel on the stern rail held by 3 stainless P clips with wing nuts. A small piece of aluminium screen door angle to reinforce the attachments to the panel. I use 2 halves of an old aluminium paddle as props to make it horizontal and some cord and plastic clips to the torail to keep it down in the wind. Lasted one season so far...
 
Thanks all for the replies - especially with the comments re how the setup works under way. I guess if weather was really bad, this mounting position allows the panels to be easily removed
 
I have mounted ours on their centre line with saddles that fit 25mm stainless tube.
They are mounted just above the lower guard rail with bimni fittings clamping horizontal tube to gate and pushpit.
The panels are easily rotated to the vertical position and held in this position by the upper wire in adverse conditions or when docking.
Friction holds them to any best angle to sun.
We have a 40Centre cockpit so they can be deployed under sail with no interference with mobility or sheets.
100w each side fridge on all night recovered by early morning to float.
 
I have done exactly as described on a Jeanneau 342, discussed on some previous threads. i Used 22mm pipe as I had some lying around, bent to shape and then fixed to the push pit and stanchion with jubilee clips (damned sight cheaper and better than anything else I could source. 100w panels from Photonics Universe and single controller. Where they sit, they are really secure and left in place all year with no issues. I can share pics and details if helpful.
 
I have the same. 110W rigid each side on a Starlight 35. NOA (expensive) brackets on a 25mm SS Tube. Parrallel to a Victron MPPT. Works well. So well the Vicron MPPT blew its 15A Fuse (it should be all below 15A). Brilliant output as they often both unshaded. We drop them when sailing to be out of the way. Do not go too deep as you do need access between bottom of panel and deck for mooring lines etc..

Would do it again.
 
Some photos
 

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I have two sets of two Victron 115W panels on each side rail (4 in all). The 25mm rail is welded to the existing stanchions and the front of the pushpit. Each pair is wired in series to separate Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20's. In series means you get a high voltage and charging starts earlier. The 115W panel are a good fit for the typical height of the rail, leaving a 1" or more gap at the bottom to clear lines.

The panels are fitted to the rail with these... 3.45￡ 30% OFF|2pcs Bull Bar Mount Bracket Kit Fog Driving Light Spotlight Universal Clamp Bracket 15 30mm for Car Motorcycle Crash Bar Guard|Headlight Bracket| - AliExpress

The edge of the PV panel frame is reinforced with 1mm Al strip. Better and less bulky than NOA and much cheaper.

The panels go through this.... 31.61￡ 10% OFF|FEEO FDIS Solar Photovoltaic DC Waterproof Isolator Switch IP66 4P 32A 1000V 2string Phase Outdoor Isolating Rotery Disconector|Circuit Breakers| - AliExpress

Into the MPPTs. Out of the MPPT's into one of these.... 12.28￡ 41% OFF|Multi functional LED Car Audio Stereo ANL Fuse Holder Distribution 0/4ga 4 Way Fuses Box Block 30A 60A 80Amp|Fuses| - AliExpress

An then to the battery bus bars with the -ve going through an existing shunt.
 
Ours also pivot like gregcope above on the rail and can swing vertically. Useful to get max sun which we’ve only done once. Just tied at the bottom with cord to the guard rail.
 
West Coast said:
Thank you everyone for your comments and the photos - really helpful! Confirmed that this is the best way to go for me.
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I setup my solar this way probably 8 years ago work’s really well . One thing I’ve done that really helps is to allow the NOA mounts to rotate the panels completely inboard to protect the panels! Good for for lock transits and avoiding growling waves in biscay ?

Regards

John
 
So first part of the project now underway - 25mm SS tubing and fittings ordered today online. Im away in the US for a couple of weeks, so hopefully the parts will be here when I get home
 
West Coast said:
So first part of the project now underway - 25mm SS tubing and fittings ordered today online. Im away in the US for a couple of weeks, so hopefully the parts will be here when I get home
Click to expand...
Make sure you get the fittings welded on the ends. Don't rely on the grub screws. This is what we did. It maintains the integrity of your guardwires
 
We opted to thread the guard rail wire through the tube.
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