Flexible solar

[All U Get]

Hi all,

I just read an interesting article on flexible panels and thought I would share the info. I was thinking a flexible panel on a bimini would be a good alternative to rigid panels, but with a backer installed there wouldn't be much difference to justify the cost. Just my thoughts.

https://www.emarineinc.com/blog/Flexible-solar-panels-cannot-be-flexed

All U Get

 

[Bad Obsession]

Interesting read.

I was able to put my flexible solar panel on my bimini where it doesn't touch the frame. It shouldn't be moving up and down much. I also remove it when I am not at the boat because I take the bimini down.

I have 100 watts of solar from a flexible Renology Panel going to a Genasun GV-10 MPPT charge controller.

If I want to charge the batteries while I am gone I fix the solar panel on a seat in my cockpit. It will keep the batteries charged and it won't flex around.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

As Bad Obsession pointed out, the backing is for when you are crossing a bow for the bimini. If you can install it without crossing a bow it is not needed.

But even with the backing there are still other advantages such as weight, ease of storage when disassembled and the elimination of a rigid frame to support the panels.

Here is another article you should consider reading to balance the one you posted.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Been just like this since 2005. Tied to the bimini with lines. Some 10,000 miles of cruising.

Only problem in that time was the thread holding the edging sun rotted, so resewed with sail thread- V 92, done by hand

 

[All U Get]

I read the article again and the application for soft biminis includes a backer. Apparently their incidence of failures are substantial enough to include a warning on installations. The price difference is at least triple for the same size/watts which is a big negative for me.

All U Get

 

[capta]

Since we have the same boat, I thought you might like to see what we've done and what we'd do differently next time (very soon, in fact).
If you notice at the edge of the Bimini above my wife's head, there is a fore and aft bar between the front section of the Bimini and the aft section. This was put there to hold onto when exiting the cockpit, because that is a huge open hole with no good hand holds. It also strengthened the Bimini immensely.
We installed the solar panels directly to the Bimini framing, with a rubber spacer at each to keep enough room under the panels for ventilation. The wires run through the Bimini directly to the charge controller in the engine room below the cockpit. It was a quick and easy way to mount the panels a few days before splitting for the Caribbean, and it has worked flawlessly.
However, we will shortly be having some bars made to go from the safety bars over the Bimini and the panels will be attached to them. This will allow us to remove the Bimini without removing the panels, once done.

 

[All U Get]

I like your idea and I tried to get a good picture of our boat. We're a bit different being the sloop design. We've made the center section of the bimini removable for sailing in good weather. The boom is close to the bimini top so panels may get bumped when we change operations. We'll see how the wind generator works this summer before I get too involved.

All U Get