Benefits of solar panels on your boat

Discover the added value of installing solar panels on your boat. During longer cruises, it is essential to be able to rely on renewable energy sources to keep your boat running, and solar energy provides excellent support in this regard. With solar panels on board, you don't need to make frequent trips to the port to recharge batteries, so you experience complete freedom during extended trips.

We recommend putting together an integrated solar panel system, consisting of high-quality solar panels, a smart charge controller and a suitable battery. Increasingly, boat owners are also using portable power stations in combination with solar panels, both as a back-up system and a mobile charging solution. With the battery or power station, you are able to use the generated energy at any time for all your onboard equipment. Experience the freedom of sustainable boating with our tailor-made solar solutions for your boat.

How to choose the ideal solar panel?
 

When choosing between (semi-)flexible solar panels and aluminium-framed panels, considerations can be tricky. Our recommendation is for flexible panels, despite their higher average cost. However, they are lighter and more resistant to salt water because of their flexibility. Moreover, many models are overflowable, which offers a practical advantage on a boat.

Besides fixed panels, it is also useful to consider portable solar panels for extra power generation when needed. Portable panels offer the flexibility to generate power in different locations.

Do you have questions about solar panel systems for boats or want to know more about our brands, such as SUNBEAMSystem and Wattstunde? Feel free to contact us via e-mail or phone! Our team is ready to answer your questions and provide you with expert advice on choosing the most suitable solar power system for your vessel.

How do I calculate my energy needs?
 

1.  Prepare list: List all electrical appliances, including navigation equipment, lighting, refrigeration, and other devices.
2. Determine energy consumption: Research the energy consumption of each appliance in watts per hour (W/h). You can often find this information in the manual or on the appliance itself.
3. Estimate daily use: Estimate how many hours per day each appliance is in use.
4. Calculate daily energy requirement: Multiply the power (in watts) of each device by the daily usage (in hours) and add it all up for the total daily energy requirement in watt-hours (Wh).
5. Consider autonomy: Consider how many days you want to be off-grid without recharging and multiply the daily energy requirement by the desired number of days.

Follow these steps to determine the optimal energy requirement for your boat and choose the right solar panels and battery storage.