Solar Panels For Boats: Everything You Need To Know

Solar panels for boats are an evolving concept which is very successful indeed. Solar panels are an ideal resource for powering up devices in boats because of their portability, cost-effectiveness and durability. You can use them to recharge your boat's batteries while running your other devices as well. Solar panels for boats are a specialized line of products; however, another way to harness solar energy for boats can be using solar generators with flexible solar panels.

Following is a brief introduction to the Jackery solar generators, which are leading the industry with their high performance and premium quality.

Why Choose Solar Panels for Boats?

Why choose solar panels for boats instead of other power options like gas generators, etc.? There are many advantages of solar panels over traditional generators; hence, they are becoming more and more popular.

1. Solar panels for boats are the most environmentally friendly option as there is a reduced carbon footprint, lower noise levels, and they do not use any fossil fuels.
2. Since the power is harnessed from the sun's energy, there is no fuel cost. Also, you can let go of the worries of packing enough fuel in the boat, which is also a safety hazard.
3. The best solar panels for boats have the most negligible noise levels. For example, the Jackery solar generators have a noise level of 30 to 50 dB, considered safe and quiet. Hence, the fish and other marine life will thank you for being so considerate.
4. The Jackery solar panels for boats also allow you to pass through charging so you can set your solar generator while powering up your devices.
5. Unlike popular belief, solar panels work even on cloudy days when some sunlight is available. However, their efficiency will be highly reduced. Still, this option is more reliable in all types of weather.
6. Solar panels for boats can be installed in various types and sizes of boats. For smaller boats, you can use the flexible solar panels.
7. Cost-effectiveness and low maintenance are also prominent advantages of solar panels.

What Are The Types of Solar Panels for Boats?

Solar panels for boats can be classified by usage and by the solar cells used for them. We will discuss the classification and the corresponding types to give you a clear idea for making an informed decision.

Portable, rigid and flexible solar panels for boats are the three categories by usage. The following table summarizes the pros and cons of these three types.

1.    Portable Solar Panel

Portable solar panels are made to move. For example, Jackery even has a range of foldable portable solar panels. They are perfect for outdoors and for use on the move.

2.    Rigid Solar Panels

Rigid solar panels are solid and sturdy as they are made of tempered glass, and the anodized aluminium frames make them more secure. However, these are best for houses and buildings because their installation is complex.

3.    Flexible Solar Panels

Flexible panels are lightweight, and usually, they are used outdoors, such as for boating, camping, kayaking, hiking, etc. They are lightweight and easy to install.

Solar panels can be divided into three types based on solar cells. These types are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels.

1.    Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single, pure silicon crystal. A complex and large industry is required to produce these solar panels.

2.    Polycrystalline Solar Panels

The polycrystalline solar panels use silicon coming from multiple sources. The manufacturing process is more straightforward and has significantly less waste than the monocrystalline solar panels. These panels are less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

3.    Thin-film Solar panels

Thin film solar are less expensive, but they lack efficiency and need a large area to produce enough power. Hence, they are primarily used in large-scale industrial solar installations.

How Solar Panels Work for Boats?

Solar panels for boats work on the same principle as other portable solar energy systems. There are four essential components, i.e. Solar panels, Charge controller, inverter and battery. If you use a solar generator, then the charge controller, inverter, and battery are part of the generator itself.

The charge controllers keep your battery safe from overcharging by smoothing the voltage received. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. However, the Jackery solar generators also have DC output ports for the appliances running on direct current.

How Much Solar Power Does A Boat Need?

How much power is required for your boat depends on the size of your boat, its power requirement, the devices you want to run and for how long. The best way to estimate your power needs is to list all the appliances and check their peak power. You will find this information on the product labels or literature. However, we list the most commonly used device here for your convenience.

The size of your boat also matters in terms of power consumption. While most of the boats will be using a 12-volt lithium battery, the bigger one might require over 350 watts of power.

Once you have this data, you can easily estimate your boat’s average power consumption and the size of the required solar system.

When you are using a Jackery solar generator, it has peak power and running power along with the battery capacity. Another noticeable point is that Jackery solar generators also have the feature of pass-through charging. So, you can charge the battery while using the pass appliances as well.

Jackery Solar Generators for Boats

The Jackery solar generators are industry-leading solar generators with a solid reputation for durability and performance. These generators are portable and versatile, so that you can use them in various scenarios without extra setup costs or effort. The Jackery solar generators are equipped with advanced charging systems and battery management systems, making them safe for both indoors and outdoors. Safe noise levels are also a distinguishing feature of the Jackery solar generator.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery solar generator 2000 plus stands out from the rest of the solar generators because of its expandable capacity of 2-24 kWh. It can power up to 6000W devices. The advanced IBC technology allows you to charge the battery in 2 hours. Also, the  LiFePO4 Battery has a 10-year lifespan, making it very safe.

Customer Review by Pierre Jacobs.

"Jackery generators have made all my outdoor adventures as smooth as anything. I can now even work from my camping site without any worries about power storage and power generation. Its multiple output ports allow me to use various devices. "

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery solar generator is one of the best options for solar panels for boats because it offers you high capacity in a very compact size. This generator also has an expandable capacity with 3 add-on battery packs, expanding to 5kWh. It takes only two hours for the solar panel to charge. Its LiFePO4 battery cells are very long, lasting up to 10 years, and provide 4,000 charge cycles.

Customer Review: Faris Ahmed

"High performance, reliability and safety. Jackery solar generator 1000 plus ticks all these to the fullest. This is my first solar generator, and I am loving every bit of it. "

Solar Panels for Boats FAQs

1) How do you choose the best solar panels for boats?

The weight and size of the solar panel matter the most when choosing solar panels for boats. Then comes the space-to-power ratio, which means how much space a solar panel uses to produce a power unit. The type of solar panels has a significant impact in this regard. Generally, thin-film panels and monocrystalline modules are suitable for boats. Thin films are cheaper but less efficient. Whole monocrystallines are more efficient and powerful.

2) What size of solar generator do I need for my boat?

The size of the solar generator required for the boat depends on the boat size, battery capacity and the solar panel performance. You will want to add up the peak ratings of all the devices you will use and the energy requirement of your boat. So if your average daily consumption on the boat is 1000 Wh of daily energy consumption then you need at least 1200 to 1500 Wh capacity from the solar generator.

How to calculate the working hours of a solar generator

Working time = Capacity Wh * 0.85 / operating wattage of your TV

For example, if your boat requires 500W.

The Jackery solar generator 1000 Plus Working time will be 1264Wh * 0.85 / 500w = 2.1 hrs.

These estimates are based on 85% efficiency of the generators because there is always some loss of efficiency during transmission and operation. Therefore, we multiply the total efficiency by 0.85.

3) How many solar panels do I need for my boat?

Suppose your boat requires 1000Wh of energy in a day; then you will need at least two high-quality solar panels, g Jackery SolarSaga 2000W or three 100W Jackery solar panels.

Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel

Jackery SolarSaga 200W is a leading solar panel in terms of efficiency and durability. It has an efficiency of 24.3%. Its IP67 waterproof rating makes it a perfect choice as the best solar panel for boats.

Jackery SolarSaga 100W

Jackery SolarSaga 100W has an IP65 waterproof rating, and its distinguishing feature is its built-in charging ports. The two USB output ports can charge the panels directly.

Final Thoughts

Solar panels for boats are a growing trend as adventurers want to enjoy nature with all the comfort of appliances and devices. The Jackery offers lightweight monocrystalline solar panels with high efficiency. You can also opt for solar generators to use solar energy for your boats, as they are easy to carry and very convenient to use. They are far ahead of gas generators because they are environmentally friendly, have very low noise levels and have very high efficiency.