7 Best Solar Panels for Boats 2024
Solar panels have become an increasingly popular and efficient way to harness renewable energy for various applications. And when it comes to boats, the benefits of solar power cannot be overlooked.
Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or a sailor looking to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, marine solar panels offer a reliable and sustainable solution.
Designed specifically for the unique requirements of boats, these solar panels are built to withstand harsh marine conditions while providing ample power for onboard equipment, appliances, and lighting.
In this article, we will explore some of the best marine solar panels available in the market that cater specifically to boats’ needs, ensuring optimal performance and durability on your maritime adventures.
To get you afloat, here’s my list of the top 3 solar panels for boat and marine applications:
BougeRV 180 Watts
Renogy 175 Watts
Eco-Worthy 130 Watts
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links but this does not affect the price you pay.
What constitutes a full Solar power system for your boat?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a solar power system for your boat.
Power output needed to run the electronics and appliances on your boat has to be calculated.
You need to choose a solar panel kit that is designed for marine use and can withstand the harsh conditions of being on the water.
Is a portable or permanent solar panel kit solution required? If you need a marine solar panel solution for occasional trips, a portable, flexible panel would be more suitable as they can be easily installed and removed.
On the other hand, if you need a solar panel installation for long term use, a permanent solar panel kit would be a better option as they provide consistent and reliable power output.
A full solar power kit for your boat must include marine solar panels, a charge controller, lithium marine batteries and an inverter.
- Solar panels are the key component of any solar power system as they convert sunlight into electrical energy. The size and number of panels you need will depend on your specific energy needs.
- A MPPT or PWM solar charge controller is necessary to regulate the charging of the batteries and prevent overcharging.
- Lithium marine batteries are the best type of battery to use for a solar power system as they are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and have a long lifespan.
- An Inverter is required to convert the DC electricity from the batteries into AC electricity which can be used to run appliances onboard your boat.
Types of Marine Solar Panels
When it comes to outfitting a boat with the best marine solar panels, there are two main types to choose from: flexible and rigid. Each has its own set of pros and cons that should be considered before making a final decision.
Flexible Solar Panels
Flexible solar panels are just that – flexible. They are made with thin and flexible materials, such as polymers or thin-film solar cells, which allow them to be bent or curved to fit the shape of the boat’s surface.
They are typically lightweight and durable, making them a good choice for marine environments where weight and space are at a premium. As part of a solar system these solar panels are designed to be used to power a variety of onboard systems, including lights, navigation equipment, radios, and other electronics.
One of the advantages of flexible panels are their ability to be installed in areas where traditional solar panels cannot be mounted, such as on curved surfaces or on top of bimini tops or dodgers. They also tend to have a lower profile than traditional solar panels, which can be helpful in situations where wind resistance is a concern.
Rigid Solar Panels
Rigid marine solar panels are designed to be mounted onto the deck or other surfaces of a boat. Unlike flexible solar panels, which are made with thin and flexible materials, rigid panels are made with materials such as tempered glass or crystalline silicon cells, which make them more durable and resistant to damage from harsh marine environments.
Rigid solar panels are typically heavier and less flexible than their flexible counterparts, but they are also more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. This makes them a good choice for larger boats that require more power output or have limited space for solar panels.
These panels can be mounted in a variety of ways, including on a rack or frame that is attached to the deck or superstructure of the boat. They can also be mounted flush with the deck or other surfaces using special mounting hardware.
DIY or Professionally Installed?
The decision to DIY or professionally install marine solar panels on a boat ultimately depends on several factors, including your level of expertise, the complexity of the installation, and your budget.
DIY might be the way to go if you have experience working with electricity and are comfortable working with all the relevant tools and materials. This can save you money on installation costs, but it’s important to ensure that the installation is done correctly and safely. DIY installation may also be a good option if you have a simple solar panel system that doesn’t require extensive wiring or mounting.
On the other hand, professional installation may be a better option if you lack the necessary skills or experience to install the solar panels yourself. A professional installation can ensure that the solar panels are installed correctly and safely, and can also help to prevent damage to your boat’s electrical system or other components. Professional installation may also be a good option if you have a more complex solar panel system that requires special mounting or wiring.
It’s important to consider the cost of professional installation, which can be higher than DIY installation. However, the cost may be worth it in terms of the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the installation was done correctly and safely.
Overall, the decision to DIY or professionally install marine solar panels on a boat should be based on your level of expertise, the complexity of the installation, and your budget. If you have any doubts or concerns about your ability to install the solar panels yourself, it’s always best to seek professional installation to ensure the safety and reliability of your boat’s electrical system.
What size Solar Panel for Your Boat do you need?
The wattage of the solar panel will determine how many appliances you can charge and the total wattage needed. For example, if you have a 100 watt solar panel, you can charge two 50 watt appliances. If you have a 200 watt solar panel, you can charge four 50 watt appliances. Make sure to check the total wattage of all the appliances you want to charge before buying a solar panel.
If you only plan to charge small appliances such as your phone, or laptop then you need no more than a 150W solar panel. If you want to run larger appliances like a fridge or microwave, you’ll need a panel that produces at least 200 watts of power. but if you plan to live on board or travel, then it is best considering total wattage of between 2000W to 6000W.
Recommended Marine Solar Panel Size Table
As a reference, the marine solar panel you chose can be made easier by using the following guidelines:
| Appliance | Power (Watts) | Daily Usage Hours | Daily Energy Consumption (Watts) | Recommended Marine Solar Panel Size (Watts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Lights | 2-10 | 4-8 | 8-80 | 10-50 |
| VHF Radio | 5 | 4 | 20 | 20-50 |
| Depth Sounder | 10 | 4 | 40 | 50-100 |
| GPS | 5 | 4 | 20 | 20-50 |
| Autopilot | 10 | 4 | 40 | 50-100 |
| Refrigerator | 40-80 | 24 | 960-1920 | 200-400 |
| Water Pump | 20-60 | 1-2 | 20-120 | 100-300 |
| Electric Stove/Oven | 1000-3000 | 1-2 | 1000-6000 | 1000-5000 |
| Microwave | 500-1000 | 0.5-1 | 250-1000 | 500-2000 |
| Electric Kettle | 1000-1500 | 0.5-1 | 500-1500 | 1000-3000 |
| Laptop | 30-60 | 2-4 | 60-240 | 50-150 |
| Smartphone | 5-10 | 1-2 | 5-20 | 10-50 |
Note that the recommended solar panel size is based on typical usage patterns and assumes moderate to good solar exposure. If your boat will be in an area with less solar exposure, you may need a larger solar panel to compensate. It’s also important to consider the battery capacity of your boat, as well as the number and size of the batteries, to ensure that you have enough power storage to meet your needs.
Solar Panel for Boats – Review of the Top 7
In the following section you will find a selection of both the best Rigid and best Flexible solar panels for boats.
#1 BougeRV 180 Watts Mono Solar Panel
12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Cell Charger High Efficiency Module. Suitable as a Marine Solar Panel, RV solar panel and Off-Grid.
Key Features
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum allows extended outdoor use.
- Anti-reflective, high transparency glass has impact resistance and water resistance.
- It can withstand high wind (2400 Pa) and snow loads (5400 Pa), suitable for cold and complex outdoor environments.
- With multiple layers protective system, solar energy chips maintain efficient solar energy conversion efficiency.
- Bypass diodes ensure maintain stable power in low light conditions.
- Pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel allow you to quickly install solar panels without using heavy tools.
#2 Renogy 100W Solar Panel 12 Volt Solar Panel
High in power, compact in size, this Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel is the perfect option as a marine solar panel. The panels feature lightweight aluminum frames and shatter-resistant glass, making them perfect for outdoor applications.
It comes with pre-drilled mounting holes, solar connector leads, and a junction box.
Key Features
- Solar panel can provide an average of 400-500 Watt-hours (Wh) or 33-41Amp-hours (Ah) of electricity per day (depending on sun availability).
- Bypass diodes protect the solar cells from overheating and allow the solar panel to continue working during accidental shading by bypassing the underperforming cells.
- This Solar Panel is made from high purity silicon cells coated with advanced encapsulation material with multi-layered sheet laminations to enhance cell performance and provide long-lasting durability.
- Pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel allow for fast mounting and securing, ideal for off-grid applications including yachts and boats.
#3 ACOPOWER Solar Panel 100 Watt 12 Volt PV Module High-Efficiency Polycrystalline
Solar panels are made of high-efficiency poly cells which have an effective conversion rate of up to 20.1% to provide up to 100 watts power. They are protected from overheating and have excellent performance in low light environment.
Ideal as marine solar panels for boats, RVs and Off Grid living.
Key Features
- Solar cells with high conversion rate up to 20.1%.
- The 100W solar panel is made of lightweight anodized aluminum frame and anti-reflection 3.2mm thick coated glass, which reinforces safety and impact resistance. Poly solar panel is suitable for outdoor use, which can operate in temperatures of between -40°F to 176°F, and withstand severe weather such as storms(2400Pa), blizzards (5400Pa) and hail.
- Pre-drilled holes on the back of marine solar panel allows for fast mounting and securing.
- Each solar panel comes with a 12AWG cable with PV male/female quick connectors, which can connect with a charge controller.
#4 ECO-WORTHY 240W (2 x 120W) High Efficiency Monocrystalline Solar Panel
The ECO-WORTHY 120W 12V monocrystalline solar panel is ideal for any off-grid application because of its high conversion efficiency, long life, and excellent cost performance due to the proven industry chain.
It comes with pre-drilled mounting holes, solar connector leads, and a junction box. Allowing you to install, connect it to a controller, or expand with panels.
- Higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency, higher reliability and higher daily power production than conventional polycrystalline solar cells
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum frame design with sturdy corner supports, ensures that it endures the outdoors for an extended period of time without damage or loss of performance.
- Cells are encapsulated in EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and the impact and corrosion resistant properties of EVA will protect the cells. On the front of the solar panel is the safety glass of the solar installation, providing strong protection for the solar panel and not blocking the sunlight. The protective film is effectively resistant to atmospheric agents. Multifunctional junction box sealed against water for high security.
#5 Renogy Flexible Solar Panel 175 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline
This ultra-lightweight panel can achieve up to an incredible 248-degree arc of flexibility thanks to advanced solar cell technology and lamination techniques. At 6.2 pounds, this panel weighs 70% less than its standard counterpart and is less than 5% as thick.
This makes it easy to transport, install, and affixed to uneven surfaces. It’s precisely this kind of adaptability that makes the Renogy 175W Flexible Solar Panel the ideal choice for airstreams, campers, and boats.
- With a flex range of up to 248 degrees, this panel is capable of meeting a wide range of applications where standard panels can be inconvenient to mount, such as on the curved roof of an airstream
- Thanks to advanced polymer materials, this product weighs 70% less than conventional solar panels.
- Discreet and thin, the Renogy 175W Lightweight Panel is only a tenth of an inch thick. Approximately 95% thinner than its rigid counterpart, this panel is ideal for a stealthy solar setup.
- Rigorously tested, the 175W panel is designed to withstand extreme wind of up to 2400Pa and snow loads of up to 5400Pa.
#6 ECO-WORTHY 130W 12 Volt Super Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
ECO-WORTHY 130W is a semi-flexible high-performance solar cell that is ideally suited both as a solar module for the mobile home and especially for marine use on sailing yachts, motor yachts and other types of boats.
- The semi-flexible solar modules are made from a special aluminum-plastic composite. The aluminum core of the base plate is 0.8 mm thick and encased in plastic to give the entire module greater stability without reducing flexibility.
- Thanks to the integrated bypass diodes in the junction box, the module can continue to produce electricity even when it is shaded or in poor lighting conditions.
- The particularly translucent, structured ETFE coating of the solar modules ensures very high scratch and weather resistance and thus a long service life, even under difficult conditions.
- In the marine sector in particular, ETFE stands out from other plastics because of its high resistance to salt water.
- Thanks to the junction box on the front, the modules can be glued to almost any surface. Installation is very easy: the modules are glued quickly and easily with a special adhesive. There are few limits to the choice of surfaces. Previously unused areas can now be used.
#7 XINPUGUANG 100w 12v Flexible Solar Panel Monocrystalline
This flexible solar panel is a good choice for curved surfaces of RV, boat, sailboat, yacht, truck, car, coach, cabin, camper , tent , trailer, golf cart or any other irregular surface.
- The plastic back sheet can be curved to a maximum 30-degree arc and mounted on an RV, boat, cabin, tent, car, trucks, trailers, or any other irregular surface.
- Ultralight and Ultra-thin. The solar panel has 6 grommet mounting holes which can attach fasteners and can also be installed with silicone and adhesive tape
- The water-resistant semi-flexible solar XINPUGUANG panel is far more durable than traditional glass and aluminum models. The junction box is sealed and waterproof.
- The component contains a bypass diode, and the circuit uses input over current protection and reverses protection design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
In conclusion, boats can benefit from the power of the sun by installing solar panels. When choosing the best solar panels for a boat or marine vessel, one must consider the type of panel (rigid or flexible), the watt size of the panel, and how much power is actually needed.
Rigid solar panels are best for vessels that see a lot of rough conditions, while flexible solar panels are best for boats that require a more subtle fit and finish.
Both types of panels are able to generate power throughout the day and provide cost savings on energy costs. It is important to consider factors such as available space, budget and weather conditions when deciding between rigid or flexible solar panels for your boat.
With all of this in mind, one can make an informed decision and choose the best solar panels for their needs.
