Semi-flexible solar panel placement

[Ryban]

I brought two 100W semi-flexible solar panels down with me from the states to add to my existing 155W. I was originally planning on attaching them to my spray hood, but I worry the fabric itself isn't strong enough to support them for long periods of time without adding reinforcement bars to the underside of the fabric.

So instead I'm considering other options, like the deck mounting shown below. Most of my future sailing will be westward in the trades, so theoretically the boom will be out of the way, and can be moved out of the way at anchor. If I go this route though, I'd want to attach the panels to the deck without adding any holes to the boat.

Photos of both layouts here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSJQpNfohkPeFz0K2

What are your guys' thoughts from personal experience?

[Kenomac]

If you continue with your first plan to mount on the sprayhood, just make sure you fasten with zips or velcro or both to all four sides, so wind can't get under them and tear the panels off, this happened to a friend of ours. Have a local canvas maker sew on a second layer of fabric to strengthen and provide additional insulation.

The panels you purchased don't look they were designed to be stepped on.

[Privilege]

If you mount them on the spray hood in parallel, at least one of them will be working while the other is shaded. If they are on the coach roof and the boom is straight and shading them, neither of them are going to be putting out anything.

[Kenomac]

Yes BUT... for pocket change, he can purchase a second controller and eliminate shading issues by pulling the boom out 45 degrees while at anchor.

[Olly75]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

If you continue with your first plan to mount on the sprayhood, just make sure you fasten with zips or velcro or both to all four sides, so wind can't get under them and tear the panels off, this happened to a friend of ours. Have a local canvas maker sew on a second layer of fabric to strengthen and provide additional insulation.

The panels you purchased don't look they were designed to be stepped on.

In this picture are the velcro flaps stitched onto the panel?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Olly75

In this picture are the velcro flaps stitched onto the panel?

The panels are sticked to the velcro and the zippers. One side of the zip and velcro sewn onto panel and one side of each onto the bimini.

[Boston Blackie]

We have two high output Solbian semiflex panels from Bruce Schwab on our Bimini. He supplied them with 1/4" thick extruded corrugated polypropylene backing board. I hand stitched the panels to the flexible backing cut 1/2 larger than each panel all the way around, and put adhesive Velcro on the topside edge of the backing. Then machine stitched mating Velcro to 4 each 1 1/2"" sunbrella hemmed strips which adhere to the top of the backing and are sewn to the bimini around each panel. We have raced to Bermuda in a tropical storm, and cruised to New Brunswick and to Newfoundland with no issues with the panels at all.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Boston Blackie

We have two high output Solbian semiflex panels from Bruce Schwab on our Bimini. He supplied them with 1/4" thick extruded corrugated polypropylene backing board. I hand stitched the panels to the flexible backing cut 1/2 larger than each panel all the way around, and put adhesive Velcro on the topside edge of the backing. Then machine stitched mating Velcro to 4 each 1 1/2"" sunbrella hemmed strips which adhere to the top of the backing and are sewn to the bimini around each panel. We have raced to Bermuda in a tropical storm, and cruised to New Brunswick and to Newfoundland with no issues with the panels at all.

Can you please post a picture of your Solbians with the backing board and how it's attached. If it's convenient.

Thanks

[Mike Nonsuch]

I installed a 50 watt panel in front of my dodger this summer, it works well. It seems like a poor location but my Victron battery monitor starts to measure a gain by 7:30 am. Also the panel is far from my mainsheet, a hazard with stern mounts on a Nonsuch, and it's out of the way and does not get stepped on.

Mike
Nonsuch 26
Whitby Ontario

[Boston Blackie]

Hi Kenomac

I will post a shot under sail. Need to wash the bimini this week so will take shots of the flaps and the separated panels.

[Boston Blackie]

Here is a panel in use.

[Boston Blackie]

Having trouble using Choose File to grab pic under the Add Video button.

[Olly75]

Thanks Ken. Looks like a solid set up.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Boston Blackie

Having trouble using Choose File to grab pic under the Add Video button.

Upload it to youtube, then post the link here.

[Oceansailor]

Originally Posted by Ryban

I brought two 100W semi-flexible solar panels down with me from the states to add to my existing 155W. I was originally planning on attaching them to my spray hood, but I worry the fabric itself isn't strong enough to support them for long periods of time without adding reinforcement bars to the underside of the fabric.



So instead I'm considering other options, like the deck mounting shown below. Most of my future sailing will be westward in the trades, so theoretically the boom will be out of the way, and can be moved out of the way at anchor. If I go this route though, I'd want to attach the panels to the deck without adding any holes to the boat.



Photos of both layouts here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSJQpNfohkPeFz0K2



What are your guys' thoughts from personal experience?

Hi Ryban,

As you already have bought the panels enjoy them as long they last.
I hope they will last longer than mine did. (Manufactured 2012-2013)
Hopefully quality is improved.

They are claimed to be Sunpower cells but are made in China. Sold under many brand names. I have seen them cracking, blistering and get milky. Had 4 installed and I returned them to the vendor after 12 month intense Med. Sun. I got new panels and problems continued. All in all I bought 4 panels but have got 12 panels over 5 years. The existing panels do not have the glossy surface. I’m more optimistic about them. They are still good after 18 month.

The output of the panels was very good in the Med. In July, August we had more or less full output when the sun was in zenith. With 400W we had no problems on anchor with fridge and freezer running.

The panels that blistered did actually not loose any output. I returned them as I wanted them replaced under the warranty. When I returned them they had 12 month under strong Med. Sun. It was no difference if they where installed on deck or on the Bimini, same problem.

No doubt Solbian are a better panel to a higher price. Question is if they will last 4 times longer...

Here are some good information:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/s...r_panel&page=1

Be careful and do not bend the panels to much. Solbian have a max radius of 1.5 m. How much is that? ( It is not much!) Schwab have a very good explanation in their Solbian user manual.

https://www.bruceschwab.com/wp-conte...ew-radius1.pdf

I never expearanced any problems because of bending. I had a 100% flat bimini. Stabilized with battens under each panel.

One panel came loose in a 50 knot gust in Greece. I had not a flap around the edges. My bad..

Avoid shadows. Even a small shadow over one cell is a a BIG loss. I’m amazed seeing people building expensive towers on the stern for fixed panels and then finishing of with an antenna farm above or on the sides of the panels. It is not uncommon to see two wind generators on either sides of the solar panels.......

My friend had one of those installations. He got more out of the solar panels on day with overcast as there was no shadows, compared to a sunny day with shadows.