Solar Panel use on Narrowboat's and Canalboat's.
Running a diesel engine to charge your batteries is a hassle. Not only that, but it disturbs the peace of a quiet mooring, and isn't a very environmentally responsible way of getting energy. It isn't even very good for the engine: most alternators only give a light load to a big propulsion engine, which is designed to be run under much heavier loads. That is why many people leave boats in gear while charging: but that, of course, burns more diesel, and is even less environmentally friendly! 
An alternative is to charge your batteries using clean, free renewable energy. You should find in the long run it will even save you money: although you need to make an investment to fit solar panels, you will save considerably on fuel costs, engine wear and tear and battery replacement. As any boat owner will know making large investments in technology and energy is something that needs to be considered wisely. With many different solutions on the market and very little between them to the average 'man in the street', its easy to make the wrong choice. When looking for renewable energy solutions for your Narrowboat or Canalboat, you need to consider not only cost but how much power do you need to maintain charge in your batteries. To understand this you need to consider how much electricity you use and what type of appliances to use.
Before considering Narrowboat Solar Panels for Free Solar Energy. You need to consider minimising your power use and consumption, this may mean taking steps to be more frugal, switching off unused appliances or moving to more energy efficient choices where available. Switching to Energy Saving Bulbs or Leds lights is a great step in this direction - both are available for 12v systems. Solar panels can contribute significantly to the electricity needs of a Narrowboat. There are a variety of types of Narrowboat Solar Panel on the market. The most efficient range for Narrowboat Solar Panels are the Monocrystalline range these offer the smallest size of panel and the highest output, this is due to the fact that Monocrystalline Silicon Cells are more efficient and smaller size, results in a smaller Solar Panel physical size. The next most efficient are Polycrystalline Solar Panels these have a marble effect or appearance - the Solar Panels are typically 10-20% larger in size when compared with Monocrystalline Solar Panels due to more surface area needed for Polycrystalline to produce the same Wattage output power.
The first generation of Solar Panels, were framed modules based on amorphous silicon., basically these look like a panel of glass with horizontal lines running through them. The efficiencies of Amorphous Silicon Solar Panels are relatively low when compared against the latest Monocrystallline and Polycrystalline Solar Panels.
Our Budget range of Monocrystalline Solar Panels covers 6, 10, 21 and 31 Watt output power. Offering the very best highest quality Monocrystalline Solar Panels for entry level Narrowboat and Canalboat use.
New ranges of plastic based thin film and amorphous silicon technology Solar Panels are becoming available for Narrowboat and Canalboat use, these are very thin, tough and flexible, and give a very low profile when glued to the roof of a boat. They can be stuck down to the curve of the roof. They can even be walked on with soft soled shoes. These panels offer the ease of fitting but due to being based on cheaper silicon, don't offer the same efficiencies and typically need replacement every 5 years - these degrade fast.
In summer one 55 Watt Narrowboat Solar Panel should supply all the electricity you need for lighting and water pumps. Use energy efficient bulbs if possible. The newer LED bulbs are very efficient, and can often be installed in existing fittings. Fluorescent lights are also efficient relative to conventional bulbs. If you run a fridge you should consider fitting two panels, as fridges are rather power hungry compared to other appliances.
If you leave your boat for long periods of time and just want a solar panel to keep your batteries in good condition while you are away, you can get away with using our Free Solar Energy Budget Monocrystalline range of smaller Solar panels. The Free Solar Energy Uk Budget range of small panels are very suitable for keeping batteries topped up, and come in 6, 10, 21 and 31 Watt sizes.  With the smallest Free Solar Energy UK Solar Panels you do not need a Solar Panel Charge Controller if the capacity of the battery bank is small relative to the size of the panel. All our Solar Panels come fitted at the factory with a blocking diode. We recommend using Solar Panel Charge Controllers for any Solar Panel above 10 Watts. For larger solar panels such as our premium range we would always recommend the use of an appropriately rated solar controller, the solar controller needs to be matched to the Solar Panel and also compliment with the batteries and battery voltage used. We can offer Solar Solutions in 12, 24, 36, and 48 volt configurations.
Solar panels are great for summer - but typically in the depth's of winter will only produce approx 10-20 % of there stated capacity - why? cloudier more overcast conditions and less photons - these come from the Sun. On the crisp winter days, frosty and clear skys you can expect normal outputs, but with the sun lower in the sky and less daylight hours you won't get as much charge going back into your battery compared to summer. Your options are larger batteries - to keep the energy flowing longer, and larger Solar Panels, sized to provide the majority of your winter power but over capacity for Summer - economically this is difficult to justify unless you have a reasonable budget and dont want to run your engines or a seperate low noise generator in winter.
One of the benefits of Framed Solar Panels rather than the lower efficiency stick on items - is the ability to tilt the panel to face the sun. This is a benefit because Solar Panels produce the most energy when elivated at 30-40 degrees to the horizontal and south facing. We offer a range of Solar Panel mounting kits specialised for Narrowboat and Canalboat Solar Panel mounting.
Many boat owners have employed different methods of securing there Solar Panels, some have welded the Solar Panel mounts to the steel roof, or have drilled and screw fixed. We would recommend using a product called Sikaflex, a UV safe bonding compound this sets in approx 24 hours and is rock solid. This product can be used to securely 'glue' the feet of the Solar Panel mounting kits to the roof of your Narrowboat or Motorhome, without drilling holes or resorting to welding.
A well prepared location will be needed to secure the Solar Panel and 'glue' the panel mounts to the roof. Preparation is everything the location will need to be sanded and be 100% dirt free for where the solar mounting feet will be located and glued. In practice this is one of the best methods, of securing, and is ideally suited for the Solar Panel Flat Roof mount that can elevate the framed Solar Panel at 30-40% when moored to obtain the highest power from your Solar Energy investment.
Cables are important - our 2008 range will come with solar grade UV light safe, 12 Volt DV cable, thick secure and made to last. All our Monocrystalline range come fitted with 5 meters of cable, ready for fitting. Look out for our new 2008 range of individual Narrowboat Solar Panels and complete plug and go Kits.
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