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Sailors need all the help they can get when they are sailing in a cramped boat, every inch of space is important. Critical lighting must be sustained and appliances and devices must continue to operate smoothly. Solar panels installed on a boat can be a huge improvement in powering various things efficiently while on the water.

Marine solar panels can be a critical tool for an avid boater or sailor to utilize. They must acquire the knowledge necessary to install the solar panels, and also investigate which solar panels are their best options. There are three varieties of solar cells that are most often use; each brings its own benefits. The boater needs to understand these benefits and choose the proper solar panels that suit their needs.

Solar Panel Varieties.

You must avoid shading of your solar panels; shaded cells will pull energy from other cells for themselves.

• If a solar panel is using monocrystalline cells, it will have a high rate of efficiency, it will occupy less room, but it will not have any shade defense.
• Solar panels, which use polycrystalline cells come with even greater efficiency ratings, will use still less room, but also require a shade defense.
• A solar panel, which utilizes amorphous silicon cells does not have very good efficiency ratings, they use more room, but they do offer more shade protection. On a sail boat, this becomes a critical factor.

Marine solar panels can be purchased in a flexible variety or hard model. You can attach the hard model directly to your deck; the flexible panels can be connected to either the deck or to canvass.

Choosing The Size And Quantity Of Your Solar Panels

When you install your new Marine solar panels, you will be asked to make calculations to choose a size and the number of solar panels that you may require. You can easily locate this kind of information over the Internet by searching the following phrase – which size solar panels, should I install – and you will receive multiple returns from your question. Generally, you should allow for about 20% more solar panel energy than what you think you will actually require.

Properly Placing Your Solar Panels

Now that you know how many solar panels you will require, you will have a better idea of where you will place them since your options will be limited. The ideal location depends on how your boat is designed and how large your solar panels are. Now is the time to review your installation instructions that came with the solar panels. Read the information carefully so you are sure you will not be violating any of the terms of your warranty when installing your new solar panels.

The easy answer to installing your solar panels is to make sure they are in the sunlight. The installed location should have maximum sun exposure with as little shade as possible.

The stability of your solar panels is important so you may want to consider adding extra bracing to ensure the panels are secure.

Installing Your Marine Solar Panels

Your new Marine solar panels come with detailed installation guidelines. Follow these closely, and also consider the information that follows.

The majority of marine solar panels will have three primary parts:

• The solar panels, which will capture the sunlight and generate electricity for you.
• It will also have what is referred to as the charge controller, its main function is to maintain the power going into the battery to make sure it does not overcharge it.
• There will also be batteries to store the power that your solar panels will be producing.

When your new marine solar panels have energized the batteries, this power can be utilized to operate many of your 12 V DC devices and equipment. This could be your lighting for safety purposes, any ordinary lighting for rooms and on deck etc., any pumps, and food preparation devices – generally small appliances. When you include an inverter, you will be able to operate 120 V, AC bits of equipment like your microwave oven, satellite communication, entertainment systems, radios, etc.

Your inverter is a self-contained unit that will change the electricity current discharged by the battery that you will need to operate most of your onboard domestic devices. You should see if your system has a voltmeter and if it does not, then you need to buy one and get it installed. Your voltmeter let’s you monitor your charge for optimum use.

Once your solar panels are properly connected and secured, it is time to hook them up following your instructions that came with your kit, carefully. Be sure, you only use marine grade quality wire cables to connect the panels to your batteries. Please be sure to investigate the wiring you’ll be using to make sure it’s the right kind, do not be afraid to ask questions. Were you to use ordinary automotive cabling, it might look the same, but conditions on the water can be harsh, and they will lose their capacity as a conduit for the electricity to flow.

A Useful Pointer:

If possible, purchase a prepackaged Marine Solar Power Kit, as this will make your installation process that much easier.