Solar Kit Sailboat

A solar kit for sailing boats contains all the equipment required for a photovoltaic system on board: panels, a charge controller, a service battery and mounting accessories, all sized to meet typical power consumption whilst sailing and at anchor.

What makes a solar installation on a boat different?

Three things. The saline environment, which requires the use of marine-grade stainless steel and careful attention to every joint between different metals. The shadows cast by the rigging, which cause the panels to be constantly swept by the wind, making it essential to have an MPPT controller capable of quickly re-tracking. And the galvanic isolation, because the return currents around the hull corrode the anodes.

How much range do I need on board?

Part of the actual daily energy consumption: compressor fridge, navigation electronics, lights, autopilot and bilge pump. The fridge usually accounts for more than half of the total, and this is the consumption you cannot cut back on whilst at anchor.

Make sure the battery is large enough to last for at least two days without sunshine, as there is no backup power supply whilst sailing. See also the MPPT controllers and the battery monitors.