Max Solar Power on Arch

[nfbr]

Solar on arches is area limited. Often more for Width than Length

So what panels have the best power / width ratio



Looks like the trick is more about getting 2M panels than efficiency.

[Wireless1]

Well, I've just finished putting 680 watts on top of my bimini keeping the standard 1" bimini tubing, but adding a couple of extra tubes to stiffen it a bit better.

I took a different approach. Glass panels weigh in the mid 40 lbs range and I could not put that much weight up there, so I put four SunPower E-flex 170 watt panels up. I only chose the flexile panels because each 170 watt panel weighs 6.25 Lbs. But... I did not want them to flex by putting them directly on the canvas as so many have done. So I turned them into rigid panels by framing them in aluminum square tubing with a flange all around and also using a backing to make them more stiff/rigid by inserting 6mm thick Lexan "ThemoClear"in the frame with them. ThermoClear is paneling used in greenhouse construction.
I put two 170 watt panels in each frame so it looks like I have two rigid panels up there but it's actually four separate 170's. So each 340 watt combined rigid panel weighs about 24 Lbs, or about half what one glass 300+ watt panel would weigh. Then I added a couple of extra 1" tubing struts to stiffen the bimini "wobble". The entire thing is pretty rigid now.
Not quite finished wiring it all up but should be finished tomorrow. I used 4 separate Victron 75/15 MPPT "SmartSolar" controllers -- one for each panel (Bluetooth networked with my Victron BMV-712 Smart Monitor.
Hope this help give some thought about getting more watts with less weight.

[SunPoweredYachts]

Awesome flex/fixed hybrid install from wireless1 If you are looking for the most power dense fixed frame solar panel (most watts per sq.ft.) then it's the SunPower X22-370W http://www.sunpoweredyachts.com/sunpower-fixed-frame

The 370W panel is 61.3" (L) x 41.2" (W) but a major consideration is how you will support the panel weight - 41lbs each

[kchace]

Originally Posted by Wireless1

Well, I've just finished putting 680 watts on top of my bimini keeping the standard 1" bimini tubing, but adding a couple of extra tubes to stiffen it a bit better.

I took a different approach. Glass panels weigh in the mid 40 lbs range and I could not put that much weight up there, so I put four SunPower E-flex 170 watt panels up. I only chose the flexile panels because each 170 watt panel weighs 6.25 Lbs. But... I did not want them to flex by putting them directly on the canvas as so many have done. So I turned them into rigid panels by framing them in aluminum square tubing with a flange all around and also using a backing to make them more stiff/rigid by inserting 6mm thick Lexan "ThemoClear"in the frame with them. ThermoClear is paneling used in greenhouse construction.
I put two 170 watt panels in each frame so it looks like I have two rigid panels up there but it's actually four separate 170's. So each 340 watt combined rigid panel weighs about 24 Lbs, or about half what one glass 300+ watt panel would weigh. Then I added a couple of extra 1" tubing struts to stiffen the bimini "wobble". The entire thing is pretty rigid now.
Not quite finished wiring it all up but should be finished tomorrow. I used 4 separate Victron 75/15 MPPT "SmartSolar" controllers -- one for each panel (Bluetooth networked with my Victron BMV-712 Smart Monitor.
Hope this help give some thought about getting more watts with less weight.

I am also putting together a setup above my bimini. I will be installing 2 160w panels at 22lbs each plus some tubing to mount them.

How did you attach your panels above your bimini?

Ken

[RickG]

We put up two 330 watt Panason rigid panels on our arch and bimini. It fits nicely between the split backstays and behind the boom.

Cheers, RickG