Solar panel advice please

[Ernie]

Following on from the ‘running a fridge’ thread, I am now looking into buying a solar panel(s) and a controller to help reduce the amount of generator running time needed to keep my batteries topped up.

 

After having a quick search on the web, there seems to be many different panel technologies to choose from.

 

If I sort out the roof, I can probably accommodate two panels of up to 18 inches by 54 inches in size – one panel on each side of the roof.

 

 

Can anyone recommend any particular type and manufacturer of panel please? Also, I guess I will need a controller to go with them.

 

Thanks in advance…..

[Kristian]

Hi, I got two shell 130watts panels last year from AB Butt, Frog island in Leicestershire, Speak to Simon Butt, he's the boss. 0116 2513344/ 07803 976000

The controller they supply is the Stecca one which is very good, tells you whats going on, It also has the function to turn on a small strip light when the sun go's down giving the immprestion that somebody is on the boat during the night, the reverse happens when the sun comes up again in the morning, the light go's out, very good thing.

Forget buying solar panels from Ebay, they just want to sell, and forget you, as were Simon explains the installation and getting the right wiring, very important with two large panels due to the higher amps, the most ive seen the panels kick out is 20amps per hour, which is better than some mains chargers and if you have an inverter its just like being on mains hook-up!!!

Anything else you wish to know e-mail me back......Kristian.

[magnetman]

Hi, I got two shell 130watts panels last year from AB Butt, Frog island in Leicestershire, Speak to Simon Butt, he's the boss. 0116 2513344/ 07803 976000

The controller they supply is the Stecca one which is very good, tells you whats going on, It also has the function to turn on a small strip light when the sun go's down giving the immprestion that somebody is on the boat during the night, the reverse happens when the sun comes up again in the morning, the light go's out, very good thing.

Forget buying solar panels from Ebay, they just want to sell, and forget you, as were Simon explains the installation and getting the right wiring, very important with two large panels due to the higher amps, the most ive seen the panels kick out is 20amps per hour, which is better than some mains chargers and if you have an inverter its just like being on mains hook-up!!!

Anything else you wish to know e-mail me back......Kristian.

 

do you work for AB Butt?

[Gibbo]

It also has the function to turn on a small strip light when the sun go's down giving the immprestion that somebody is on the boat during the night,

 

Using up the power it put into the batteries during the day thus ensuring they can also sell you a wind turbine.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

Gibbo

[Kristian]

No, I don't work for AB Butt, but just wish to pass on my knowledge to help others! After all thats why the guy posted his question.

As for the strip light the small amount of currant it draws is not worth bothering with, about .5 of an amp which is far less than the solar panels produce during the day.

Yet the benifit far outweights any negative points.

[Marc Harris]

Thanks for the info Kristian, i'm too looking into solar for our boat when we take the plunge and go continuous cruising, and being based in Leics, was looking for a reputable and knowledgable supplier rather than take the risk of some unknown internet retailer.

 

I'll definately be popping into butts to see what they recommend

[Smelly]

Having been so vocal about solar recently I'd probably best post to say I got mine from freesolarenergy on Ebay, 170W for 500 quid ish was a good price, but a bit too big for your space.

 

Leisure Power had a stall at the NEC, and specialise in mobile installations, although they're not the cheapest they're very friendly and deliver pretty sharpish.

 

We got a Shuhco controller, it's a pig and I'd recommend Steca, much easier to progran and tell what's going on.

[GSer]

Got to say its not really nessesary to use a controller, my panels have been connected without control for 3-4 years, just use a suitable fuse and the shotkey(?) diodes wired correctly and all should be well.

 

I have to say I use a 12v fridge all the time(livaboard) so overcharging is never a problem.

 

Spend the extra money on wild women and beer

 

 

Paul

[Rik Derris]

I was told not to bother with a solar power as it doesn't give enough power to penetrate that battery and give it a decent charge. Can i assume this is pony and i should in fact wire up the unused one i have sitting in my shed?

 

My original intention was for it to stop the 12V fridge draining the battery while i am at work as that is the only thing i leave switched on.

[Chris Pink]

i should in fact wire up the unused one i have sitting in my shed?

 

My original intention was for it to stop the 12V fridge draining the battery while i am at work as that is the only thing i leave switched on.

 

What have you got to lose?

 

Mind if it one of these tidgy toy ones you see for cars probably isn't worth the copper cabling.

[Rik Derris]

What have you got to lose?

 

Mind if it one of these tidgy toy ones you see for cars probably isn't worth the copper cabling.

 

Point well made! It is about 2ft x 3 ft not sure of the power but will take the bubble wrap off and hope it will tell me. After being told it would not do much good i couldn't be bothered to go though the hassle of getting it welded to the roof as i cruise around the regents canal and anything not bolted down inevitability seems to walk ....

 

Perhaps a small test while i am there all day will be best!

[Chris Pink]

Point well made! It is about 2ft x 3 ft not sure of the power but will take the bubble wrap off and hope it will tell me. After being told it would not do much good i couldn't be bothered to go though the hassle of getting it welded to the roof as i cruise around the regents canal and anything not bolted down inevitability seems to walk ....

 

Perhaps a small test while i am there all day will be best!

 

2 x 3 ft is probably around 50Watt and well worth using. I use chains to fix mine to the roof so I can point it at the sun. This time of year it will probably run your fridge.

[Ernie]

Following on from the ‘running a fridge’ thread, I am now looking into buying a solar panel(s) and a controller to help reduce the amount of generator running time needed to keep my batteries topped up.

 

After having a quick search on the web, there seems to be many different panel technologies to choose from.

 

If I sort out the roof, I can probably accommodate two panels of up to 18 inches by 54 inches in size – one panel on each side of the roof.

 

 

Can anyone recommend any particular type and manufacturer of panel please? Also, I guess I will need a controller to go with them.

 

Thanks in advance…..

After looking around the web a bit, I have come to the conclusion that I need Monocrystaline rigid panels due to their higher efficiency - am I on the right track ??

[Ex- Member]

After looking around the web a bit, I have come to the conclusion that I need Monocrystaline rigid panels due to their higher efficiency - am I on the right track ??

 

Personally I wouldn't go for rigid panels simply because the theft of them is so easy. All the hassle of securing them with chains and the like, and all someone needs is a small pair of bolt croppers to nick them. Then all the faffing around aiming them at the sun, gimme a break

 

The flexible panels are the type we'll be going for. the ones here from Unisolar look good, but there are other flexible solar panels coming on to the market that will be much cheaper in the near future.

 

http://www.midsummerenergy.co.uk/buy_solar...olar_panel.html

 

What I like about these is their efficiency with just a light sourse. you have to bear in mind that the U.K can be overcast, these don't rely entirely on the sun to collect energy. They also look better than framed panels and can be walked on, I think they actually make the roof of a boat look quite cool Once stuck down they're pretty difficult to get back off, so the chances of getting them nicked quite slim. I reckon 3x 136 watt panels would cover most of our energy usage even through the winter, bearing in mind we would be working daily through the winter period, so not on it to use so much energy.

[Chris Pink]

After looking around the web a bit, I have come to the conclusion that I need Monocrystaline rigid panels due to their higher efficiency - am I on the right track ??

 

 

Mono are more expensive than poly with a slight performance gain.

 

Both are more (50%) space efficient than amorphous which perform better in northern latitudes and overcast skies.

 

Amorphous are quite difficult to get hold of at the moment.

 

I think you said space was an issue.

 

Kyocera Poly seem to be the one to go for although you could look at Helios who i would recommend - I have a 50W poly by them.

[Kristian]

For fastening down the panels the ridgid ones come with metal brackets which are L shaped with two holes at the base and if your good with a drill you have

to drill 8 holes into the boat roof and tap the threads and bolt the panels direct to the steel roof, whilst at the same time a good amount of gripfill/no nails or silicone down

the hole and thread before putting the bolts in, which fills any voids and made everything water tight as well as very hard to remove or should that be "nick".

Kristian.

[Chris Pink]

The flexible panels are the type we'll be going for. the ones here from Unisolar look good, but there are other flexible solar panels coming on to the market that will be much cheaper in the near future.

 

http://www.midsummerenergy.co.uk/buy_solar...olar_panel.html

 

There are a number of contra-indications for these panels;

 

1. uni-solar are very difficult to get hold of at the moment

2. the stick on ones are about 80% more expensive than the framed ones

3. pointing them at the sun, although a faff makes a very large difference (around 100-150%)

4. I have been using an amorphous panel and i am not completely convinced they are significantly better in overcast conditions.

 

if you have the roof space and the money then yes, you can over-specify to that extent but it is not that problematic to make them difficult to steal.

[Ernie]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

 

It’s obviously more complicated than I thought as I am now more confused than I was to start with.

 

From searching the web I came to the conclusion that Monocrystaline was the best choice but from what I am hearing, this may not be the case.

 

It’s a hell of a lot of money to part with so I don’t want to get it wrong.

[smileypete]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

 

It’s obviously more complicated than I thought as I am now more confused than I was to start with.

 

From searching the web I came to the conclusion that Monocrystaline was the best choice but from what I am hearing, this may not be the case.

 

It’s a hell of a lot of money to part with so I don’t want to get it wrong.

 

Why not get a smallish solar panel eg 25-80W of known type and output power, maybe secondhand if the price is right.

 

Then set it up with an ammeter and see what sort of power you get in different weather, effect of tilting it, and so on.

 

At the very least it will make some contribution to your power needs.

 

If getting a large setup a good time may be in spring, as most output will be in the middle of the year, and prices may be a little lower.

 

cheers,

Pete.

[Chris Pink]

Why not get a smallish solar panel eg 25-80W of known type and output power, maybe secondhand if the price is right.

 

Kyocera are now doing smaller polycrystalline panels, 20, 40, 50, 65 and 85 Watts which makes stepping into solar a lot more feasible.

 

We are stocking some of these models as we have found the 130W panels a bit pricey for a lot of our customers.

[boatbot]

Hi, I got two shell 130watts panels last year from AB Butt, Frog island in Leicestershire, Speak to Simon Butt, he's the boss. 0116 2513344/ 07803 976000

The controller they supply is the Stecca one which is very good, tells you whats going on, It also has the function to turn on a small strip light when the sun go's down giving the immprestion that somebody is on the boat during the night, the reverse happens when the sun comes up again in the morning, the light go's out, very good thing.

Forget buying solar panels from Ebay, they just want to sell, and forget you, as were Simon explains the installation and getting the right wiring, very important with two large panels due to the higher amps, the most ive seen the panels kick out is 20amps per hour, which is better than some mains chargers and if you have an inverter its just like being on mains hook-up!!!

Anything else you wish to know e-mail me back......Kristian.

Could u give me an idea of cost please!I need to run a TV, DVD player maybe a light or two, water pump-A fridge would be luxury on my boat let alone a shower!

[Chris Pink]

Could u give me an idea of cost please!I need to run a TV, DVD player maybe a light or two, water pump-A fridge would be luxury on my boat let alone a shower!

 

Depends where you live because the carriage costs can be well pricey.

 

If you got between 80W and 160W it would run most if not all of your needs april-october.

 

Double it at least if you get that fridge.

 

It is not generally recommended to try and be self-sufficient in the winter with solar because you have a lot of expensive panel doing nothing in the summer.

 

We sell around £3.50 a watt for polycrystalline but I gather you are in the midlands so we would be no good for you.

[Justme]

Kyocera are now doing smaller polycrystalline panels, 20, 40, 50, 65 and 85 Watts which makes stepping into solar a lot more feasible.

 

We are stocking some of these models as we have found the 130W panels a bit pricey for a lot of our customers.

 

 

How much are they?

 

Justme

[Kristian]

The two panels each 130watts plus reculator/controller, cable etc came to just under £1200 notes, I did get a discount as I was buying two panles at the

same time, weather this is normal i dont know (ask).

Now this is were you need to start thinking about money, yes £1200 is alot of money, but as the saying go's you have to spent money to save money.

What i mean is the more you spent on solar the quicker you get free electric/power, ie spend more and you recouperate your costs better/faster.

Buy anything smaller than x2 130watt panels and i personally think you'll just be pissing in the wind!

Look at it this way, Lets round off the cost of Diesel to £1 per litre (even at the moment) and running your engine for 2 hours a day to charge batteries at 1 litre per hour, thats

two pound per day just to have power/fully charged batteries. 365days per year @ 2 litres = £730 per year to charge betteries. (1/3 more if you have a petrol geni, ie £1000)

So very roughly in 18-24 months the panels will have paid for themselfs! After that FREE electric!.

The panesl are given an in service life of 25 years!

Kristian.

[Justme]

Just one small point that I think lots of people will miss.

 

Running a petrol genny does not have to cost more than running a diesel one. Even though petrol costs more per L most small petrol gennys run at about .7 L/h whilst the smallest diesel quote 1.2 - 1.4L/h. I did some working out for a friend & the running costs per hour were 70p for petrol & 90p for red diesel. With the coming price changes in red diesel for boats that gap will increase too. This only works on small petrol gennys. Once you start to hit about 5 kva then diesel ones cost less to run.

 

There is a thread in here about the payback time for solar panels with a very good spread sheet calculation that factors in all the variables.

 

Justme

Edited July 24, 2008 by Justme