Marine Solar Kits

Because boats have never had access to power lines, the technology to wholly power your boat with solar power is well established. Like a recreational vehicle (RV), your appliances on the boat will already be wired for 12V power as it comes off the battery, so there’s often no need to bother with an inverter. Most craft also already have the deep cycle marine batteries used with marine solar kits, so you can focus on power generation.

The solar kit you purchase for your boat should, however, come with a charge controller to make sure the battery is completely and evenly charged without being over charged and in danger of catastrophic failure. There should also be fuses in line with the charge apparatus, so any dangerous currents will open the circuit before damage is done.

If you do choose to run regular electronic equipment in the galley, you’ll need an inverter to change the 12-volt direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) of 120 volts. For use with European devices, the voltage must be twice as high. With the exception of the panels themselves and additional batteries, inverters can be the most expensive piece of equipment you buy for a solar system. The inclusion of an inverter will have a great impact on the cost of any solar kit you purchase.

Often sold as RV solar kits, they are essentially the save with the exception of waterproofing, which any solar kit for marine use should have. This is especially important in the case of ocean-going vessels, since the salts in the water are especially good at corroding

Since you’ll be using solar as your sole means of power (as opposed to supplementing existing grid service like at home), you’ll need to carefully figure out what sort of wattage you need to supply. Be sure to include lights and navigation equipment as well as pumps. Very carefully consider any electronic ignition that may prevent the motor(s) from starting up. You will want to make calculations based upon normal use and extreme use situations.

Additionally, it is often best to give yourself some leeway or headroom – as much as 20 or 30% -- to account for emergency situations and the natural decline in efficiency that is often seen over time. Check to see if there’s a manufacturers warranty covering the efficiency of the system components. Some loss at each stage is considered normal, but it should not be excessive. Poorly constructed systems can loose over half the power that comes off the panel in wasteful charge conditioning or regulation devices.

Solar panels have a long history on boats. Today’s marine solar kits have the advantage of making it economical and simple to install trouble-free power for many years to come.