The installation of a solar panel on a boat is of paramount importance to benefit from electricity on board. This equipment must provide for the power needs of its user. This is why it is important to choose the right solar system. The choice depends not only on your consumption, but also on the type of battery. So if you have a 12V battery, here’s how to make the right choice for your solar equipment.
The right power of the solar panel
In order for the solar panel to perfectly meet your power needs, it is essential to choose the right power. To do this, you need to start by knowing your electricity consumption. It is therefore important to calculate the power consumption, expressed in watts, of all the devices you use on board. In principle, the value of this is shown in the instructions for use of your equipment. If you have not found it, you can multiply the current with the voltage. You then need to multiply the consumption by the number of hours of use per day. This is your energy requirement in Watt-hours per day. This is the basis for comparing the correct power of the solar panel.
Take into account the capacity of the battery
Knowing the daily energy consumption is not enough to know the right power of your solar panel solar panel boat. Indeed, a battery with the same 12 V voltage can have different capacities.
For example, if the battery has a capacity of 12.5 Ah, a power of 30W is needed for the solar panel. However, for a 15 Ah battery, the maximum power of the solar panel must be 36 W. This value can reach 552 W for a 230 Ah battery. It is therefore very important to check the technical characteristics of the battery. If you are in doubt, it is very important to seek advice from a specialist in the field.
Flexible or rigid solar panel?
There are two types of boat solar panels: flexible and rigid. The flexible type is particularly well known for its ease of attachment and its ability to adapt to all types of support, especially on irregular or inclined surfaces. Because of its flexibility, it can offer an optimal bending angle.
As for the rigid boat solar panel, it is known for its performance. It promises a high energy yield. The choice between these two types depends on your needs. Of course, both the solar panel and the rigid model can work perfectly with a 12 V battery.
Monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panel?
To benefit from a very high electrical output, it is advisable to choose the monocrystalline type. The latter is known for its ability to produce electricity. However, it is sensitive to high temperatures, which will reduce its efficiency. This is where the interest of a polycrystalline boat solar panel lies. This is obviously the type that is suitable for geographical areas with high levels of sunshine.
