Solar panels

[Colin Morley]

Please could you advise about solar panels.
What size (output) do I need to keep a 17 ah battery charged in the UK?
Where do you fix them on the boat or do you have them loose?
How do you wire it up to the battery without lose wires everywhere?
Which type should I consider?
Is it worth it??

[Graham W]

Here's what I do http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,653.msg3946.html#msg3946

The solar panel does a good job of keeping my battery topped up in NW Wales, which is not noted for its high sunshine levels. I have a wooden battery cover, which fits snugly against the front of the centreboard case.  The panel controller is mounted on this, as are waterproof 12v plug sockets, fuses and a junction box.  As the solar panel is only bungeed on top of the boom and plugged in when the boat is moored, its wiring is loose.

[John Walmsley]

Hi Colin
Hope you are well.  We have solar panels on our stern deck.  It was supplied by Bardens, who were very helpful when planning it, and Matt fitted it.  I would contact Bardens for advice.  (Phil Smith phil@barden-uk.com).
Maybe see you down here again next summer?
Best wishes
John
BC23 Cockersootie

[Graham W]

I used to have a 25W long narrow solar panel that I bungeed along the top of my mainsail when it has been put to bed, the sprit boom supported by the double topping lift.  It was made by a now defunct company called Aurinco and cost around £300.

Times have changed!  Something quite similar (1.5m x 0.2m) is now available at a number of stores but is now rated at 50W and costs around £130.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305465403321.  You would also need a charge controller (preferably MPPT) to regulate a charge this high.

[Sea Simon]

I had to replace two factory fitted Aurinco panels recessed into the narrow PnS aft teak side decks on my BC26, failed due to water ingress after 9 years.
Aurinco no longer find it viable to compete with Chinese manufacturers,  according  to their website (see below).

Long, narrow, flush fitting panels are hard to find. The closest match I  could find were Sunbeamsystems Tough series, in my case 2 x Tough 21w Long. But I had to chop out longer recesses in the decks to fit them.

As to prices...I don't  see mine as particularly  cheap, but they are supposedly very durable, 5 year warranty. They need to be as they may be walked on! I guess this is the innovation?
Appx £150 each. SEEM well made. To early to yet say...
https://shop.sunbeamsystem.com/product/tough-21w-long-flush-solar-panel/

Sold/delivered from Sweden but appear to be made in China...

However, solar panels in general are apparently  at all-time low prices according to the FT. Somepeople are now using them to build garden solar-fences!
https://www.ft.com/content/2ea6bf6d-04e9-453b-a35f-cd6431cfc7bf