Marine solar panels are pretty helpful especially if you have it installed in a cramped little boat. You’ll have an additional power source for any form of critical lighting, which comes in really handy when you’re trying to conserve power. Installing one easily translates to better power efficiency for any seaworthy vessel. This is one of the good reasons why people ask how to install a marine solar panel.
Several Considerations Before You Buy One
Before you purchase a marine solar panel you should first consider where you want to install it. Space is a vital and scarce commodity especially in a really cramped boat. You must choose a spot where you can install the biggest possible solar panel you can get. After deciding on the spot where to install it, you should now consider what size of a solar panel you should get. You should match the size of the panel to the available space.
Not only will you consider the size of your marine solar panel, you should also consider just how many solar panels you will be able to install. One way to figure out just how many panels you can use you should consider the types of solar panels available in the many stores you can choose from.
Installing Your Marine Solar Panel
Each brand of marine solar panels will have its own method of installation. Each kit you buy will come with its own instruction manual that will walk you through the steps to assemble and install your solar panel. However, the steps to install them will follow a general method of assembly.
You will assemble the solar panels themselves, which are the parts that actually capture energy from the sun. This you will have to connect to something called a charge controller. This part will be responsible for managing the charging of the battery. And finally, there are also batteries where the energy is stored for later use.
It is important that you follow the instructions to the letter especially if there are specific instructions unique to the solar panel model you are using. Never short change the equipment you’re using to install a solar panel. Be sure to use the proper equipment, which means that if you install any bit of wiring you should be using marine grade wires only. Remember to keep your solar panels away from the shade.
Tips for Purchasing a Marine Solar Panel
If all you want is higher efficiency from your solar panel then you should purchase one that uses monocrystalline cells. Never buy ones that have amorphous silicon since these are less efficient. However, if you want one that has the highest efficiency then get one that has polycrystalline cells.
