Solar Panel on the Rail

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by gettinthere

Reb

I was very interested in the flex panels from your other thread but I can't find anything to refute the short lifespan reported. I can't see paying a premium for a panel that won't last 5 years. Do you have any info to show they have a longer life?

I've seen the rollable ones (not the foldables) floating around a lot on boats for years and haven't heard of a lot of problems with them. The Pardey's own some rollable ones as well that they use and I'm sure they would have blasted any equipment problems.

Compared to the 20 year warranties on the rigid panels even 3 years seems pretty light but I think that has more to do with the use. The rigid ones essentially get mounted and just sit there in the same position for decades, and the rollable/flexible ones have to deal with all kinds of contortion and bending.

[gettinthere]

thanks reb, I'll have to look at the Pardey panels

[blahman]

Gettinthere,

I had issues with side mounting, too; I use dacron line for lifelines and don't really have a place for rails. I don't seem to have any great photos of my installation, but I invented my own bracket and used PVC pipe and seine twine and other stuffs to make an installation where it isn't a problem, and it's damn strong! Doing so, I was able to get two 130 SUN Electronics panels (which I had thought wouldn't fit at all) on my boat. They are completely external and hinge up for when docked.

The SUN panels were $2/watt when I bought them. If you want more detailed photos, I can have my father take some.

Two panels that don't interfere with the deck:






Sorry I don't have better photos on hand...

Cheers,
Aaron N.