Our solar panel setup...Part 1

We've had a few inquiries about our solar panel setup. So I'll give you a breif overview as well as some key contacts.

We designed our Bimini top around the 2 different size panels that we're going to live on top.

That required it to be attached to the stern pushpit so as to get the needed width.

The flexible panels are made by Solbian in Italy and the best contact info is Bruce Schwab Energy Systems in Bath Maine. Bette and I sailed with Bruce to France back in 2004 as he was getting ready to compete in the Vendee Globe aboard Ocean Planet. He's a wealth of knowledge and always willing to help out. Now these panels are a bit more expensive than the Chinese knockoffs but you get what you pay for.....

The 2 larger panels in the front are 100 watts each and the 2 in the rear are 50 watts each. This gives us a total at is time of 300 watts. Divide by 12 volt system equals 25 amps. Actual efficiency is 60-80% of this so 15-20 amps in a perfect sunny world. The other factor which limits the input by design is the charge controller. You need one for each panel. This device senses the state of charge of the batteries and only allows in the correct amount of amperage so as not to overcharge the system. If your batteries are 85% full, then you may only see 8 or 10 amps coming in.

Next you want to decide where the panels will be attached to the Bimini. You can either make cardboard mock ups or use the actual panels to lay out the design. In a perfect world, you don't want the panel to come in direct contact with any metal framework underneath. To accomplish this, an 8mm polycarbonate honeycomb under layer can be seen directly to the panel. Any canvas shop can do this for you. This plastic will keep any framework from touching as well as provide a layer of air in between the Bimini fabric and the solar panel. This keeps things cooler and is desired. 

The panels will be attached with Velcro to the top of the Bimini. Using 2"wide adhesive backed Velcro, you carefully stick on the fuzzy side of the Velcro to the perimeter of the panel. Next you will lay the panel over the top of the fabric on the frame and use a pencil to trace out the exact outside edge. This is where the hook portion of the Velcro will next be sewn. When this hook portion of the Velcro is sewn down, you will also incorporate a fabric flap into the seam. This flap is carefully made up so as not to to be too big, which may overlap the solar cells. The flap wants to be just wide enough to cover the fuzzy Velcro on the top,of the panel.......approx 1/2" max. This added flap provides an extra mechanical attachment of the panel to the fabric whic in heavy weather is desired.

In the part 2, we'll talk about wiring and hook up into the batteries.