Solar panels as Side Screens

[onesea]

We where on the boat this weekend, think about replacing our side screens or spray dodgers depending on your english

For various reasons we want them between the height of the top and middle guard rail.

Then the idea came to us why not use ridged Solar Panels as side screens? Looking at a span of approx 1m buy 0.6m.

Making them removable incase we are ever out in silly weather of course.

I know they will never be at the optimal angle and at around 7kg they would be of note able weight. considered looking at smaller but economies of scale say you loose allot of watts for very little in kg gain.

Cost for cost against Acrylic Canvas they will be more but mainly it will be fixtures and fittings,

So go on why not?

 

[Martin_J]

I know we've got panels on the pushpit which is a different place.... but it only takes a short length of plastic pipe and you'd be able to angle them upwards.. Just try to avoid wear on the guard wires, perhaps by hinging the panels on short lengths of similar pipe.

 

[roaringgirl]

For the amount of power you'll make it's not worth the hassle of working out how to mount them and wiring them.

 

[jac]

Quite a few boats do it - run the guard rail through a suitable diameter stainless tube and fix the panel to that - ideally then have some form, of cleat and line to lock the panel in an appropriate orientation to the sun if required - otherwise leave flat and just get the shade.

 

[Kelpie]

It's a great place to fit panels. You can do it very easily and simply, with a bulldog clamp on to the wire- a nice loose fit to make it easier to angle the panel.
I was fortunate to have a high point on each side of the boat (aerial mast and wine gen pole) and just ran a light line to hold the solar panel up to the desired angle.
We drop them to vertical when entering a marina, but otherwise they stay in the horizontal position. We crossed the Atlantic like that and never once felt that there was any risk of the panels hitting the water.

 

[Sandy]

You might find these useful

NOA Adjustable Rail Mount for Solar Panel

You can also get PV panels with a width of c450mm rather than the standard c667mm

 

[geem]

We where on the boat this weekend, think about replacing our side screens or spray dodgers depending on your english

For various reasons we want them between the height of the top and middle guard rail.

Then the idea came to us why not use ridged Solar Panels as side screens? Looking at a span of approx 1m buy 0.6m.

Making them removable incase we are ever out in silly weather of course.

I know they will never be at the optimal angle and at around 7kg they would be of note able weight. considered looking at smaller but economies of scale say you loose allot of watts for very little in kg gain.

Cost for cost against Acrylic Canvas they will be more but mainly it will be fixtures and fittings,

So go on why not?

We have 2x180w solar panels on each side.They are 1470x660mm each. We deploy them as normal solar panels when sailing or at anchor but at night when sailing I often drop them vertical as they acts as a very effective windbreak when on night watch.

 

[geem]

You might find these useful

NOA Adjustable Rail Mount for Solar Panel

You can also get PV panels with a width of c450mm rather than the standard c667mm

You don't really need those. We use simple plastic clamps that fix to the panel frame for about £2 each.

 

[Mistroma]

You don't really need those. We use simple plastic clamps that fix to the panel frame for about £2 each.

I think that the advantage with the NOA ones is that they are adjustable. They can hang down with the pivot point at the guardrail or be lifted up to slide the pivot point towards the middle. I guess that reduces the force needed to swivel them as it nears the centre of the panel. A very expensive way of achieving that and I'm not certain it's even particularly useful. Outboard panels are less likely to be shaded as much but are more prone to damage when tied up alongside. Not really a problem at anchor.

Propping them up outside the rails is probably a cheaper option, giving better performance as well.

 

[onesea]

Thanks all

Sounds crazy but power generation is almost secondary in this.

We want the weather protection at the right height. As much as amps in the battery. Our 30 amp panel, seems to keep us charged for all we use.
Advantages of keeping electronics minimal.

 

[geem]

I think that the advantage with the NOA ones is that they are adjustable. They can hang down with the pivot point at the guardrail or be lifted up to slide the pivot point towards the middle. I guess that reduces the force needed to swivel them as it nears the centre of the panel. A very expensive way of achieving that and I'm not certain it's even particularly useful. Outboard panels are less likely to be shaded as much but are more prone to damage when tied up alongside. Not really a problem at anchor.

Propping them up outside the rails is probably a cheaper option, giving better performance as well.

We have ours set such that when tilted down to the vertical, the bottom edge of the panel is just above the toerail. When horizontal, the panels cantilever inboard about 100mm from the guardrail. If you have them protruding too far inboard they hinder access along the side deck. It's all a compromise but very happy with the set up.
From a solar performance perspective here in the Caribbean, the wind blows from the East. When at anchor the starboard panels are permanently set with an incline towards the sun. The port side panels are set just above horizontal. We harvest more power compared to the same size panels as friends with horizontal panels on a solar arch.

 

[rotrax]

Just remember that a cubic metre of water weighs in at around a ton.

A hit by a wave might cause damage when in Spray Dodger mode.

 

[geem]

Just remember that a cubic metre of water weighs in at around a ton.

A hit by a wave might cause damage when in Spray Dodger mode.

Big difference between green water and spray. I have done several Atlantic crossings with solar panels deployed this way. Never broke any. We have been hit by the odd big wave but having them deployed horizontally was fine. The boats angle of heel help

 

[jac]

Big difference between green water and spray. I have done several Atlantic crossings with solar panels deployed this way. Never broke any. We have been hit by the odd big wave but having them deployed horizontally was fine. The boats angle of heel help

And if green water hits a conventional dodger it will do some damage anyway, possibly taking out the stanchions.

 

[Mistroma]

We have ours set such that when tilted down to the vertical, the bottom edge of the panel is just above the toerail. When horizontal, the panels cantilever inboard about 100mm from the guardrail. If you have them protruding too far inboard they hinder access along the side deck. It's all a compromise but very happy with the set up.
From a solar performance perspective here in the Caribbean, the wind blows from the East. When at anchor the starboard panels are permanently set with an incline towards the sun. The port side panels are set just above horizontal. We harvest more power compared to the same size panels as friends with horizontal panels on a solar arch.

Yes, I didn't see much advantage is adjustable slides in that situation. They'd be better balanced when deployed but still need something to keep the correct angle. Main problem is that they encroach on the cockpit, only an advantage when tied up alongside another boat. I've seen plenty in Greece with them hanging down and only propped up at anchor.

I have 3 panels on the coachroof and can slide those outboard if I really need to get them out of the shade. I rarely bother as shade from boom and mast moves around anyway. Even the ones on my arch get shade from time to time.

Rigid panels are pretty cheap now and it's worth sticking them in areas where they do get some shade. Some extra output is always worthwhile.

 

[onesea]

Just remember that a cubic metre of water weighs in at around a ton.

A hit by a wave might cause damage when in Spray Dodger mode.

That was my concern, although if it's that rough I got something wrong. As there’s no reports of destroyed ours in weeks it sounds like they stand up quite well.

They will also be tilt able so can raise a little so we should be ok.

 

[geem]

That was my concern, although if it's that rough I got something wrong. As there’s no reports of destroyed ours in weeks it sounds like they stand up quite well.

They will also be tilt able so can raise a little so we should be ok.

I use notched 2"x1" props that sit on the lower guardwire to adjust the height of the panel. Fully extended, the panels are just above horizontal. This means when sailing they shouldnt hit the sea. They have occasionally hit but sustained no damage. If conditions are rough, we drop the leeward panels to vertical and tie them off to the toerail. The windward panels would stay deployed even in big waves unless its dark. They are then in spray dodger mode

 

[onesea]

Next question I guess has to be cost effective solar panels....

 

[Kelpie]

Next question I guess has to be cost effective solar panels....

I'm not aware that there's any particular difference between brands. I've always just bought the cheapest rigid panel I could find on eBay or Amazon and never had a problem.

 

[RupertW]

We where on the boat this weekend, think about replacing our side screens or spray dodgers depending on your english

For various reasons we want them between the height of the top and middle guard rail.

Then the idea came to us why not use ridged Solar Panels as side screens? Looking at a span of approx 1m buy 0.6m.

Making them removable incase we are ever out in silly weather of course.

I know they will never be at the optimal angle and at around 7kg they would be of note able weight. considered looking at smaller but economies of scale say you loose allot of watts for very little in kg gain.

Cost for cost against Acrylic Canvas they will be more but mainly it will be fixtures and fittings,

So go on why not?

I’ve done exactly that as from the pic I’ve just taken. Two 110W flexi panels with battens to slightly stiffen them. They made a big difference from our solar being just below what was needed for fridge and 24 hour autohelm etc to more than needed every day.

The most they have made is 460Wh but 280Wh of that was float so they could make a great deal more. And they act as dodgers, but I would need two panels a side to fully cover the dodger area.