Orienting the panel directly facing the solar radiation is most efficient. I know cruisers who have panels that they can adjust throughout the day to get maximum output. Personally, I think that is a PITA.
Orienting the panel at an angle off vertical equal to your latitude is the next step. Also note it should be set up in the direction the sun is in when you are sitting in the slip and the boat isn't moving. The panels should be fairly efficient from around 2 hours before to 2 hours after local apparent noon. You should plan to adjust them in spring and fall to allow for the travel of the sun north to south over time. And, of course, the panels won't do bupkus when you are sailing, unless you happen to be going in a direction parallel to the centerline of your slip. Mounting the panels facing straight up is a third alternative. You would get good efficiency from 10 to 2 if you are near the Equator, whether at a dock, spinning on a mooring, or sailing. Not so much so the further North you go, because the panels loose efficiency a lot when not facing the sun by more than 30 degrees. But you never need to adjust them. And since I understand the plan is to put in a 50 watt panel, which basically is for trickle charging your battery bank when you are not on the boat, and not a source of power when cruising, mounted flat is by far the easiest sort of installation. Rick Brass From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of dwight Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 2:15 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List mounting solar panels Well, I don't see where angling would help much.you might get optimum positioning on the day you installed but.surely the boat won't stay angled the same way to the sun all the time, especially while under sail.would not collector face up and parallel to the water be the best for maximum output? _____ From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Josh Muckley Sent: January 11, 2014 2:38 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List mounting solar panels Consider angleing the panel to the same/approximate degree as your normal latitude. Envision the sun's rays impacting at a right angle to the face of the panel. You can use a small rod or bolt extending perpendicular to the panel. At high noon adjust the panel so that there is little to no shadow cast from the bolt. Josh Muckley S/V Sea Hawk Solomons, MD On Jan 11, 2014 1:31 PM, "Eric Frank" <efran...@mac.com> wrote: Just realized it would be much easier to mount the panel on the pole (which runs right along side the backstay) that supports the radar dome. Side-pole mounts are quite available, not expensive, and with that I can put the panel above where the bimini is located. Also like the idea of getting it off the rail. Thanks for the comments from Dave and John. Eric > From: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com> > To: CnC CnC discussion list <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Subject: Re: Stus-List mounting solar panels > Message-ID: <e44c778c-34cc-4e43-9c3c-6f4075c6f...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > I just received a 50W panel that I plan to install in the spring. I plan to put velcro strips on the sliding companionway hatch and mount it there when I am not on the boat and move it below when I am. Dave > _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3658/6494 - Release Date: 01/11/14
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