Mounting Solar Panels on Arch

[apirate]

I’m currently planning our solar install and am curious to see how others have mounted their panels. We already have a radar arch with various antennas (radome, gps, xm) and would like to utilize it for panels.

How far off the back of my your transom are you comfortable with panels hanging? I’m looking at 300watt panels that are 65 inches long.

Please share pictures. Both wide shot and closeups would be helpful!

[coopec43]

Have you looked here?
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=m...w=1080&bih=609

https://www.google.com.au/search?sou...30.ygHn8q9_lkE

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=m...ih=609&dpr=1.5


Clive

[Sojourner]

Ours hang out pretty far, never a problem. Plenty of space to tuck a bunch of fishing poles under too

[GILow]

Originally Posted by apirate

I’m currently planning our solar install and am curious to see how others have mounted their panels. We already have a radar arch with various antennas (radome, gps, xm) and would like to utilize it for panels.

How far off the back of my your transom are you comfortable with panels hanging? I’m looking at 300watt panels that are 65 inches long.

Please share pictures. Both wide shot and closeups would be helpful!

Should find what you are looking for in this excellent thread...

Illustrated Guide to Solar Installations on Boats

[GILow]

Originally Posted by apirate

I’m currently planning our solar install and am curious to see how others have mounted their panels. We already have a radar arch with various antennas (radome, gps, xm) and would like to utilize it for panels.

How far off the back of my your transom are you comfortable with panels hanging? I’m looking at 300watt panels that are 65 inches long.

Please share pictures. Both wide shot and closeups would be helpful!

Regarding the whole overhang thing, remember, if they are hanging out over the back then that's WEIGHT that is hanging out over the back too. It's not just a matter of safe clearance, it's a matter of boat motion and behaviour in rough conditions.

[Achab65]

Originally Posted by GILow

Regarding the whole overhang thing, remember, if they are hanging out over the back then that's WEIGHT that is hanging out over the back too. It's not just a matter of safe clearance, it's a matter of boat motion and behaviour in rough conditions.

I agree on principle, but my double arch steel 30mm + 1 rigid 270wp solar panel should weight about total 30kg. Imho i do not think a weight that may change my boat motion.

[apirate]

Originally Posted by Sojourner

Ours hang out pretty far, never a problem. Plenty of space to tuck a bunch of fishing poles under too

Thanks for sharing the picture. Do you know the demensions of your panels?

[sailcrazy]

We have 4-80w panels mounted on our radar arch. They are mounted on s/s frames that are fastened to the arch, and hang back/the rear edge is just behind our sugar scoop. They've been there now for some 8 years, we've sailed the Medd and the Caribb with them there, and have had no issues. Rarely shaded and out of the way, the only issue is they are fixed and can't be angled to catch more direct sun thru-out the day.

[skipgundlach]

Here's a good look at ours as we upgraded:

Pictures: Flying Pig 2015-2018 Shake-and-Break-Down/Electrical Upgrade/Solar

[bensolomon]

Sojourner,

What is that silicone lubricant can in the photo?

[daletournier]

I have 480w mounted on a Atlantic arch.
Had it in various sorts of weather and a ocean crossing and never had a problem.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Achab65

I agree on principle, but my double arch steel 30mm + 1 rigid 270wp solar panel should weight about total 30kg. Imho i do not think a weight that may change my boat motion.

Depends on the boat really. That much on a 25 footer would have me worried, not so much on a 40 footer.