Solar panels - Setup suggestions.

Monique

Monique

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Hello Cruisers and Liveaboards,

New to me boat is naked and I will add Solar soon. After reading lots of info on the net, I know I'll need a good MPPT controller but what about the other components?

What are the most efficient panels? What is a good compromise? Can I get 600 W from 3 panels in one large array? (Size matters.. small is preferred)

Kyocera seem to have the edge for boaty applications. Any other manufacturers to consider?

:):)
 
Kyocera do a 250 watt panel three of those will give you 750 watts. That will be about 5ft x 10ft

Fit an arch to the stern or add to your davits and make the panels able to be tilted to follow the sun.

Resist the temptation to add things to the solar panel mount that could shadow the panels. 750 watts becomes 150 watts quickly if you do this.

I run 400 watts set up on an arch with a BlueSky mppt controller and am happy with that. The tilting is done manually with cords to cleats. On passage I usually have them horizontal. I find that in the Caribbean this gives me all the energy I need and my fridge makes ice.
 
Thank you TQA.

I need an arch with integrated davits...which will be used for short easy passages and to ensure it remains mine and not property of some low life. The aft cabin is large enough to take the dinghy for long distances.

The size of your suggested panels might be too much though. I could get 5X8 on an arch but not much more. I do not want the solar array to be disproportionately sized with the fan deck.

From your post, I gather you have Kyocera panels (like most other long distance cruisers); they seem to be the "weapon of choice"

:-)
 
If you have the space, and you are using a MPPT controller then use domestic rather than marine panels. They are much higher voltage (48v) and significantly lower cost. The only down side is that they are physically quite large (1.6mts long). My setup is two 250w domestic panels laying flat on the top of my bimini and a morning star controller. I am berthed in malta at the moment and as I write looking at a 30a charge rate. I have my two wired in series. There seems to be no significant issue with shading from the boom.
 
Mine are in deed Kyocera, 3 x 135 8 years old and still pushing out the same 22 - 25 amps. Blue Sky MPPT controller.

I have helped rewire some non marine panels from an EBAY supplier, the connections had turned to green slime in 18 months. Some cheaper controllers that are sold as MPPT do not in fact do the biz.

I would not fit non marine panels and a cheap controller, you are just asking to have to do the job again.
 
Monique said:
Thank you for the insight.

I am doing a large refit prior to a RTW .. Cruise. I do want reliable components.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid expensive does not equate to reliable. Just look at Nostrodamus's issues. He has a couple of expensive panels that have died after only about 2 or 3 years. Manufacturer is being completely unhelpful.

But then, if you have the money to spend...
 
Cardo said:
I'm afraid expensive does not equate to reliable. Just look at Nostrodamus's issues. He has a couple of expensive panels that have died after only about 2 or 3 years. Manufacturer is being completely unhelpful.

But then, if you have the money to spend...
Click to expand...

+1

Also looked a Kyocera marine solar panels - manufacturers warranty: 5 years
The Bodens I have installed - manufacturers warranty: 3 years

Kyocera 6 or 7 time the price of Boden.
Even if the Kyocera last 3 times as long as the Boden ones, in this case it still makes economic sense to go down the cheap & cheerful route.
We all make our own choices - go with whatever works for you.
 
TQA said:
Mine are in deed Kyocera, 3 x 135 8 years old and still pushing out the same 22 - 25 amps. Blue Sky MPPT controller.

I have helped rewire some non marine panels from an EBAY supplier, the connections had turned to green slime in 18 months. Some cheaper controllers that are sold as MPPT do not in fact do the biz.

I would not fit non marine panels and a cheap controller, you are just asking to have to do the job again.
Click to expand...

Oh how I love this forum :-) First, be aware that 'cheap' and 'non marine' does not mean rubbish. I specifically choose to use domestic panels because they are a higher voltage output. A 'marine' panel is designed to have an 18v max output so that it can be connected to a battery directly and only needs a very basic regulator for those people not prepared to keep an eye on it. The disadvantage with this is that you need at least 13.2 volts to charge a battery (more with most AGM types) and therefore it can only charge when it is above that point, hence why 'marine' panels only work some of the time. I know with an MPPT controller it will 'boost' the voltage as well as cut it but that is not the most efficient part of their design, you are better starting with a higher voltage. My Morning Star controller is not a 'cheap' unit it is a purpose built device that provides four stage battery charging and equalization.

Now for 'not marine'. Lets examine the facts, standard domestic panels are mass produced into a very competitive market in huge volumes, often with government subsidies. They are designed to go into a very hostile environment, on the roofs of buildings and in fields exposed to the weather. They are also designed to by installed in coastal environments. This is a challenging as a marine environment apart from you are unlikely to get solid green water smashing on them, and frankly, if my panels are getting that treatment then their preservation will be the very least of my concerns.

'marine' panels are built in much smaller volumes and experience all of the excessive profit margins applied to anything to do with yachts.

Domestic panels are not a 'cheaper' solution, they are better, the lower cost is a further benefit. My panels have not shown any 'green slime' just because they are 'non marine'.
 
Thank you all for the differing opinions; we all gain from this type of discussion.

I will examine both the domestic "Boden" and marine "Kyocera" solutions.
 
Monique said:
Hello Cruisers and Liveaboards,

New to me boat is naked and I will add Solar soon. After reading lots of info on the net, I know I'll need a good MPPT controller but what about the other components?

What are the most efficient panels? What is a good compromise? Can I get 600 W from 3 panels in one large array? (Size matters.. small is preferred)

Kyocera seem to have the edge for boaty applications. Any other manufacturers to consider?

:):)
Click to expand...

I have 300w kicking out up to 18A through MPPT during the last three weeks without shorepower. Batteries never went below 80% and did recover to 100% - fridge running 24/7 and ocassional
inverter. Panels have been up for last two years. Bought from very nice man in Eire for very good price. PM me if you want details.
 
Hi

Whilst I guess panel choice is of some importance there are other factors involved here which will probably have more of an impact than your panel manufacturer choice.

- ensure that you have minimal, preferably no, shadows across your panels
- ensure your cabling is as thick as possible
- ensure your cable runs are as short as possible especially between controller and battery
- find out what your batteries are supposed be charged to (from battery manufacturer not controller hype)
- buy a controller capable of charging as required (mine is a Morningstar which I am very pleased with)
- minimise your consumption

We can go all summer (in the Med) with just our 200W of solar panels (one is a cheap Turkish one, I can''t remember the maker of the other). Fridge on 24/7 but it is extremely well insulated. A bit of computing power and LED lights.

During my own research I found this to be a very informative site. The guy has lived in his house for many years just using soolar power - http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the-history-or-how-did-i-end-up-so-angry/
 
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