Largest solar arch on a Monohull?

[nfbr]

What is the largest solar arch you have seen (or have photos) on Monohull (in KW)?

Bifacial or High efficiency or frameless may give just a little more power density.

I thinking numbers like 1.5KW

Clearly depends on Beam, but looking for any examples of large arrays

[Pete7]

Twenty three pages of posts and photos in this thread if you're interested.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ts-179638.html

[nfbr]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Twenty three pages of posts and photos in this thread if you're interested.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ts-179638.html

I looked though, but (and maybe missed)
Didn't see anything BIG. 1.5 to 3kw size.

There are some nice custom flexi installs, but too many horror stories.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by nfbr

but to many horror stories.

I was trying to be polite

[sail sfbay]

Atlantic Towers.

[roland stockham]

Best one I saw was in Aruba. about a 45ft cat with the whole aft deck covered with a sun roof made from solar panels. All electric domestic services, full sized fridge, electric stove A/C etc but not motors. It regularly put out 1kw of power and the boat sailed well. Can only be done on a cat.

[barnakiel]

I have seen +1k on the beamy beast monos. Much more on some cats (up to 3k).


b.

[Ded reckoner]

We have 880W on an arch and hardtop specifically built for the purpose on our Nauticat 43 monohull sloop that has a 13ft 9in beam. We could have had a slightly higher output with larger aft panels, but we opted for esthetics over electrons. A friend of ours has a Beneteau 51 and is looking to install an arch and from 1.4-1.5KW of solar.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by nfbr

What is the largest solar arch you have seen (or have photos) on Monohull (in KW)?

Bifacial or High efficiency or frameless may give just a little more power density.

I thinking numbers like 1.5KW

Clearly depends on Beam, but looking for any examples of large arrays

Most newer Cats have a large hard bimini over the cockpit. I think the goal is to get the bigger panels in wattage versus the less powerful panels as they seem to have about the same square footage. As an interesting side note ; I was recently watching Sailing Zatara where the owner was attempting to up his solar output using 50 watt panels. I was thinking WTF, 50 watts ain't going to get it done. Using up all that space on 50 watt panels is ridiculous.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by nfbr

What is the largest solar arch you have seen (or have photos) on Monohull (in KW)?

Bifacial or High efficiency or frameless may give just a little more power density.

I thinking numbers like 1.5KW

Clearly depends on Beam, but looking for any examples of large arrays

It was a few years ago before I put my solar on and have since lost the photo of this guy's solar on a monohull stern arch. I believe it was four huge panels set off by his wife lying across them in her bikini...I was impressed, she wasn't bad either.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[Paramotorgreg]

As Tropical Storm Gonzalo approaches I’m looking at the square footage of some of the solar arrays nearby and thinking “I wonder what that looks like in 75 knots?”

At the moment I’m grateful for my (admittedly less efficient) Bimini mounted flexible panels, which I’m going to remove before dropping the bimini.

Other than over-engineering it, is there anything you need to do to protect your panels & arch in strong winds, or is it an imaginary problem of mine?

[nfbr]

Originally Posted by Paramotorgreg

As Tropical Storm Gonzalo approaches I’m looking at the square footage of some of the solar arrays nearby and thinking “I wonder what that looks like in 75 knots?”

At the moment I’m grateful for my (admittedly less efficient) Bimini mounted flexible panels, which I’m going to remove before dropping the bimini.

Other than over-engineering it, is there anything you need to do to protect your panels & arch in strong winds, or is it an imaginary problem of mine?

The panels are rated to roughly 250kg / M2, and in some cases double that.
If your mounts can handle that.
That's about 120-130 knots FLAT to wind (less at an angle)

If the frame will not bend, then the panel will probably cope with the wind.
Water - well that's different.

[KP44]

I had a stern arch fabricated last year. Dingy davits and ample room for solar panels. I installed three 180 watt mono panels and they easily supply all we need. I had room for another panel, but 540 watts is plenty on our 45' cutter monohull.

[newburycruisers]

Klacko Marine

Engineered and designed for your boat and solar requirements....something you won't find with Atlantic cookie cutter in a box.

A member at our club was able to get 3x 330W panels on his Catalina 380. Impressive part was that it all fit and didnt look too overwhelming.

[sailormed]

This is 2 Sunpower 327W panels fitted broadside. I could fit them lengthwise and add a third panel. At present I have 654W. with an additional identical panel it would be 981W.