Solar panels convert the sun's incoming radiation (light) directly into electricity, which can be used to charge batteries and operate DC loads.
There are several applications for solar energy on boats.
Boats that a re kept on moorings need to keep their batteries topped off, and don't have access to shore power.
Cruising boats may want to augment charging options. Panels can reduce engine operating time, or serve as an emergency backup.
Boats without auxiliary engines may use solar power for all onboard uses.
Energy from the sun's light strikes the solar panel crystals and manages to knock some electrons loose which creates electricity.
If you are operating your boat with batteries that are seldom fully charged, as is common when cruising, the chance of over-charging them is much less. Remember, your solar panels will "rest" every night, and during cloudy days. This insures your batteries are not held continuously at an elevated voltage, but they may exceed a healthy voltage in the afternoon sun.
Several panels are advertised as "self-regulating" This means they can be left hooked up to a battery for an extended period of time without over-charging it. This is possible because the panel has fewer silicon cells (usually 30 instead of 33 or 36) and therefore reaches a lower voltage. Although self-regulating panels are appropriate for a long term maintenance application, like a boat on a mooring, we prefer to use higher voltage panels that are connected to a solar panel regulator.
================================================ Wind Turbine Solar Panel solar Cell
To trace's point... this is a board full of architects. Not many of us (besides the bob hilliers of the world) own boats, or Aston Martins, or mansions, etc. etc.
There is an article about boat dumping in the New York Times. Seems like it is turning into a major problem.....guess it must be because they can't keep their battries charged.
Apr 1, 09 11:03 am ·
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Solar Panels
Solar panels convert the sun's incoming radiation (light) directly into electricity, which can be used to charge batteries and operate DC loads.
There are several applications for solar energy on boats.
Boats that a re kept on moorings need to keep their batteries topped off, and don't have access to shore power.
Cruising boats may want to augment charging options. Panels can reduce engine operating time, or serve as an emergency backup.
Boats without auxiliary engines may use solar power for all onboard uses.
Energy from the sun's light strikes the solar panel crystals and manages to knock some electrons loose which creates electricity.
If you are operating your boat with batteries that are seldom fully charged, as is common when cruising, the chance of over-charging them is much less. Remember, your solar panels will "rest" every night, and during cloudy days. This insures your batteries are not held continuously at an elevated voltage, but they may exceed a healthy voltage in the afternoon sun.
Several panels are advertised as "self-regulating" This means they can be left hooked up to a battery for an extended period of time without over-charging it. This is possible because the panel has fewer silicon cells (usually 30 instead of 33 or 36) and therefore reaches a lower voltage. Although self-regulating panels are appropriate for a long term maintenance application, like a boat on a mooring, we prefer to use higher voltage panels that are connected to a solar panel regulator.
================================================
Wind Turbine
Solar Panel
solar Cell
Hmmm...I don't have a boat. Wish I did, a big fast one, but I don't.
To trace's point... this is a board full of architects. Not many of us (besides the bob hilliers of the world) own boats, or Aston Martins, or mansions, etc. etc.
It's spam. Albeit weird moderately responsible spam but spam none the least.
There is an article about boat dumping in the New York Times. Seems like it is turning into a major problem.....guess it must be because they can't keep their battries charged.
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