Solar Panel(s)
- Thread starter jdiianni
- Start date
scross
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,098
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLC2831A717
- Vessel Name
- R-25 Classic - Sold
- MMSI Number
- 367719470
Don’t mean to sound critical but to answer your question properly you need to elaborate on what you want the solar system to do. Do you want to be completely energy independent? Do you just want a little bit of energy help on those rare occasions when you are not on shore power?
Since you live in Washington state, I’d highly recommend Platt Electric as a source for your solar panels. They will deliver a panel to your local store at no shipping cost. They have a huge panel selection. For a solar controller I’d also recommend a MPPT system from Victron Energy. Lots and lots of threads about smart solar controllers from Victron Energy using the search function. Sizing of the specific VE solar controller depends on the panel.
As a rule of thumb divide the wattage of a panel by 4 to get the AmpHour output on a sunny summer day. Knowing your consumption is critical to designing a solar system. You should review the Fluid Motion video on power management.
https://youtu.be/Uj_am-ecSt4
I hope this gets you started. Our C-28 is virtually energy independent for extended cruising with a 335 watt panel and a VE 100/30 MPPT smart BT controller. Your needs may be quite different.
Since you live in Washington state, I’d highly recommend Platt Electric as a source for your solar panels. They will deliver a panel to your local store at no shipping cost. They have a huge panel selection. For a solar controller I’d also recommend a MPPT system from Victron Energy. Lots and lots of threads about smart solar controllers from Victron Energy using the search function. Sizing of the specific VE solar controller depends on the panel.
As a rule of thumb divide the wattage of a panel by 4 to get the AmpHour output on a sunny summer day. Knowing your consumption is critical to designing a solar system. You should review the Fluid Motion video on power management.
https://youtu.be/Uj_am-ecSt4
I hope this gets you started. Our C-28 is virtually energy independent for extended cruising with a 335 watt panel and a VE 100/30 MPPT smart BT controller. Your needs may be quite different.