I need a Solar System! Do you like yours?

[FLWestCoast]

Hello: I am shopping for a solar system for my Hunter 33. I calculate that I need about 300 Ah and would like to meet that need with 600W solar panels and 400 Ah of LiFePo. Now I just need to decide on a brand (or brands). Do you like your system? Why or why not.

Thank you!

 

[Foswick]

My solar system hasn't been the same since they demoted Pluto.

 

[JoeWhite]

Yes mine is one 100Watt flexible panel on the top of the dodger and one 30Amp Victron mppt charger. Keeps my batteries topped off and meets all my electronic devices consumption.
My usage is very little.
Visit my website for more info Solar Panel | Sail La Vie

 

[colemj]

Hello: I am shopping for a solar system for my Hunter 33. I calculate that I need about 300 Ah and would like to meet that need with 600W solar panels and 400 Ah of LiFePo. Now I just need to decide on a brand (or brands). Do you like your system? Why or why not.

Thank you!

600W is going to be a challenge in supplying an average 300Ah/day. That will require ~1000W.

For solar panels, I just shop by price and size for the area I can fit. Size is a tough one, as most of them seem standardized for any given output, and this standard size changes over time.

We have had expensive top-of-the-line panels, as well as the cheapest no-name panels, and have not seen any difference among them when compared W to W. The differences tend to be in the efficiencies of the cells used, which manifests itself in the panel dimensions, or more wattage per fixed dimension.

That is for fixed rigid panels. I've yet to see a flexible panel that produced anywhere near specs in real use, or lasted more than a couple of years. If you can fit rigid panels, you will spend a lot less money, and have a lot more power, for the life of your boat than if you use flexible panels.

Mark

 

[colemj]

Yes mine is one 100Watt flexible panel on the top of the dodger and one 30Amp Victron mppt charger.

You have definitely left yourself headroom to increase your solar with that controller!

Mark

 

[FLWestCoast]

600W is going to be a challenge in supplying an average 300Ah/day. That will require ~1000W.

For solar panels, I just shop by price and size for the area I can fit. Size is a tough one, as most of them seem standardized for any given output, and this standard size changes over time.

We have had expensive top-of-the-line panels, as well as the cheapest no-name panels, and have not seen any difference among them when compared W to W. The differences tend to be in the efficiencies of the cells used, which manifests itself in the panel dimensions, or more wattage per fixed dimension.

That is for fixed rigid panels. I've yet to see a flexible panel that produced anywhere near specs in real use, or lasted more than a couple of years. If you can fit rigid panels, you will spend a lot less money, and have a lot more power, for the life of your boat than if you use flexible panels.

Mark

Thank you Mark. I have been wondering about flexible panels and the differences in the pricier rigid panels. Very helpful. Thank you.

 

[FLWestCoast]

My solar system hasn't been the same since they demoted Pluto.

I agree. One of the scientific community's biggest failures. What did poor little Pluto ever do to anybody?

 

[dLj]

I have a 380 watt ridged panel on my boat. I'm very impressed with how well it functions.

I don't recall the brand, but I bought it a solar installer that used them on houses. I think the panel cost me something like $280 more or less. Don't recall exactly.

I also have a 400 amp hour LiFePo house bank.

When sailing long distances and I'm running all my instruments it doesn't quite keep up with usage. But it's darned close. I don't run an autopilot I run a windvane so there is that.

dj

 

[colemj]

I have been wondering about flexible panels and the differences in the pricier rigid panels.

Rigid panels are much cheaper than flexible ones on a Watt to Watt basis, although this might not be such a difference on smaller ones.

For example, I just bought 410W bifacial rigid panels for $100/ea. I could have got the same size for less money, but these ones were of specific dimensions I wanted.

If you have the space, you can get 575W panels for $70-80.

Mark

 

[leo310]

I have 4 100w (eco worthy) rigid panels and 1 200w flex (renogy) and 4 100ah lithium batteries (eco worthy). Have not used shore power from Apr 1 to mid Nov. for the last few years. We also anchor for 1-2 weeks at a time with no power problems even using an induction plate.

 

[fred1diver]

So far on mine, I have 2 100w flexible panels attached with magnets on top of the dodger and a 40 amp victron controller, waiting to make a Bimini to add 2 more to the system, so far it works flawlessly it can almost keep up with my fridge and everything when out for a few days

 

[kappykaplan]

I have a pair of Kyocera 130 watt panels mounted on the bimini - don't recall what controller I got. Works great!

 

[Johann]

I have four Panasonic 335W HIT panels and they are super. On a good summer day in Florida I will get 6x their rating (about 2kWh each). I also have two Rich Solar 200W panels and they are not as good. While I have seen over 400W from the Panasonics on occasion and frequently they exceed 335W, I have seen the Rich Panels hit 200W maybe once or twice. When the Panasonics are at 2kWh for the day each, the Rich are about 1kWh, or 5x their rating.

If I were outfitting an H33 I would add an arch and put on the biggest bifacials (from a reputable manufacture) that will fit.

 

[Tom J]

I've used Hamilton Ferris products on my boat and my RV. The boat had two 135W panels mounted on the davits and a nice controller with a flat screen for the many readouts. The system maintained the four golf cart batteries indefinitely in good weather with the fridge running 24/7. I could also keep the lithium battery for my Torqeedo outboard motor charged. With the boat in her berth, I shut off the onboard charger since the Ferris system did a better job of maintaining the batteries. The RV has a 100W flex panel and a 30A mppt controller that does a good job of helping to keep the house battery charged on a sunny day. Eric or Hamilton are great to talk to about any solar system questions.

 

[FLWestCoast]

I have a 380 watt ridged panel on my boat. I'm very impressed with how well it functions.

I don't recall the brand, but I bought it a solar installer that used them on houses. I think the panel cost me something like $280 more or less. Don't recall exactly.

I also have a 400 amp hour LiFePo house bank.

When sailing long distances and I'm running all my instruments it doesn't quite keep up with usage. But it's darned close. I don't run an autopilot I run a windvane so there is that.

dj

Exactly the kind of helpful info I needed. Thank you!

 

[FLWestCoast]

Rigid panels are much cheaper than flexible ones on a Watt to Watt basis, although this might not be such a difference on smaller ones.

For example, I just bought 410W bifacial rigid panels for $100/ea. I could have got the same size for less money, but these ones were of specific dimensions I wanted.

If you have the space, you can get 575W panels for $70-80.

Mark

I'm not seeing those prices so I'll keep looking. I also like the idea of bi-facial bc I assume reflection of sunlight off the water adds watts. Is that how bi-facials work, or am I assuming facts not in evidence?

Thank you.

 

[FLWestCoast]

I have 4 100w (eco worthy) rigid panels and 1 200w flex (renogy) and 4 100ah lithium batteries (eco worthy). Have not used shore power from Apr 1 to mid Nov. for the last few years. We also anchor for 1-2 weeks at a time with no power problems even using an induction plate.

Your use case fits mine quite well. and good to hear form a Renogy customer. Have you noticed any difference in performance between the Renogy and the Eco Worthy panels? Thank you for the response.

 

[FLWestCoast]

So far on mine, I have 2 100w flexible panels attached with magnets on top of the dodger and a 40 amp victron controller, waiting to make a Bimini to add 2 more to the system, so far it works flawlessly it can almost keep up with my fridge and everything when out for a few days

Haven't thought of using magnets. Any problem with high winds? I assume you remove them and store them below at the end of each day's sail or whenever you leave the boat?

 

[FLWestCoast]

I have a pair of Kyocera 130 watt panels mounted on the bimini - don't recall what controller I got. Works great!

I didn't even know Kyocera made panels. I'll look for them. Thank you for the response

 

[FLWestCoast]

I have four Panasonic 335W HIT panels and they are super. On a good summer day in Florida I will get 6x their rating (about 2kWh each). I also have two Rich Solar 200W panels and they are not as good. While I have seen over 400W from the Panasonics on occasion and frequently they exceed 335W, I have seen the Rich Panels hit 200W maybe once or twice. When the Panasonics are at 2kWh for the day each, the Rich are about 1kWh, or 5x their rating.

If I were outfitting an H33 I would add an arch and put on the biggest bifacials (from a reputable manufacture) that will fit.

That is amazing performance! I like the idea of bigger panels like your 335s. Thank you for the response and advice.