| So you are out on the hook enjoying another beautiful, | | | | Due to the increasing demand for solar panels, a lot of |
| sunny day on the water. Laying out on deck, enjoying | | | | chandleries both local and online carry a wide variety |
| a nice cold beverage, and reminding yourself just how | | | | of ready made systems that start around $900 and |
| lucky you are. You go below to get another cold one | | | | can go up to as much as you need to customize. |
| and you notice that the fridge is eerily quiet. You | | | | But if you are remotely handy with tools, this makes a |
| quickly check the voltmeter and you feel a sinking | | | | great weekend DIY project that can save you literally |
| sensation in your stomach. Sound familiar? Well these | | | | hundreds if not thousands of dollars which can either |
| situations can be avoided with marine solar panels | | | | go towards fuel or keeping the rest of the boat |
| because they can give you power while on the hook. | | | | maintained. |
| Solar power generation is becoming increasing more | | | | In order to determine the size panels required for the |
| popular with powerboaters and sailors alike. It is a free | | | | system, simply add together the total wattage |
| energy solution that if coupled with an inverter can | | | | consumption of all your essentials. In other words, how |
| provide limitless power to top off your batteries, run | | | | many watts does the fridge, GPS, television, etc take |
| your appliances, and keep power to essential | | | | to keep running. Multiply this number by how many |
| navigation and communication devices. | | | | hours they will be running and then divide it by 2. This |
| As with anything associated with "marine" there are | | | | will give you your wattage requirements. |
| certain considerations that must be taken into account | | | | Once you have figured out the size of the system it is |
| when designing and installing a solar energy system for | | | | now time to make the determination to either purchase |
| marine use versus a normal residential installation due | | | | a kit or do it yourself. I would advise additional research |
| to the corrosive elements boats are exposed to. | | | | to help in the decision making process. |