Solar Panels For Homes

Electrical power while at anchor is almost a must for most sailors or powerboaters especially if you cruise with family. Power is needed when the Admiral needs to use the blow dryer after taking a hot shower, when hot water is required to do the dishes, or even if you just need to keep the refrigerator cold. A marine solar panel system can quietly and efficiently generate this power for you.

Obviously there are other ways to generate energy: running the engine(s) or running an onboard or portable generator. Both of these methods obviously require expending energy in order to make energy. This is done in the form of burning fossil fuels. What if you were able to get the energy for free and then convert that free energy into usable AC/DC power? With a marine solar panel system you can and as an added bonus, if you have even the slightest bit of mechanical aptitude, you can design and build the system yourself.

Now don’t get me wrong there are a variety of pre-packaged marine solar panel kits currently on the market and the choices seem to be growing every day. Take a look at your local chandlery or even search on-line; you will find an abundance of kits available priced anywhere from $700 on up dependent upon the size of the panels. However, with a couple of free weekends and some of that mechanical skill mentioned previously, you can design, build, and install your own solar system for just a couple of hundred bucks. Keep in mind that even if you were to buy an “off-the-shelf” system, there will more than likely be modifications required in order to make it usable for your boat.

The start of any DIY project would be to determine what is required to complete the task. In this case extra precaution would need to be taken because your completed solar panel system must be suitable for harsh marine environments.

First you need to determine the total wattage needed to suit your cruising style. Add together all the power consumption (in amps) that you would need while at anchor then divide the total amps by 2. This will give you the wattage needed.

Also to consider is the type of panels to incorporate into your design. For example, monocrystalline photovoltaic cells are highly efficient electrical generators that take up minimal space but lose efficiency in low light or indirect sun conditions. Polycrystalline cells uses even less area but still loses some efficiency in low light conditions. The other option would be to use amorphous PV panels which have lower overall efficiency while using more area however, they do not lose efficiency in low light conditions.

I don’t know about you but where I boat in the Pacific NW, our cruising months are generally from April through August and we usually don’t have to worry about cloudy weather during that period however your mileage may vary dependent upon your geographic region.

Regardless of which direction you decide to take, please keep in mind that there should be at least a general understanding of how power is generated using a marine solar panel system. My advice is to do the research and plan your project carefully to avoid any miscues. Once you have completed the project and stand back to admire your work, know not only that feeling of self-accomplishment but also know that you are not only saving money (to buy more fuel or beverages) but you are also being a better steward of our environment.

I am an avid boater in the Pacific NW and am constantly seeking ways to improve my experience while out cruising with family. If like me you have an enthusiasm for DIY projects and wanting to be environmentally conscious, building a marine solar panel system meets these goals. For more information on how you can build your own system even if you are a complete DIY novice, take a look at http://www.altenergysolutions.info. Safe and happy boating to you!

The future of electronic materials in photovoltaic applications – SpecialChem Learning on Demand

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