Ready to upgrade your marine electrical system with LiFePO4 batteries but aren’t sure how to keep them recharged while out at sea? Solar panels may be the perfect solution. As many sailors chase the sun, utilizing solar power is usually a great option as a renewable resource to keep batteries charged. This allows for more sustainable sailing and a decreased reliance on fuel. However, you will have to work around the challenges of mounting solar panels on sailboats.  

Which Type of Solar Panels is Right for Your Sailboat? 

When adding solar panels to a sailboat, unlike roof-top solar for an RV or an off-grid system, there are a variety of added challenges and obstacles. With the masts, various rigging components, antennas, and lines crisscrossing the deck of a sailboat, finding the best mounting location for solar panels can be difficult. But, with some creativity and choosing the best solar panel available for your application, they can be a great source of power to keep your Battle Born Batteries charged.  

Flexible Solar Panels 

Although on the more expensive side, flexible solar panels offer a wide variety of mounting options. They’re easy to mount directly on the deck of your sailboat, and many are “walkable,” meaning they won’t be damaged by walking over or on top of them. Additionally, their flexibility allows mounting directly on curved surfaces. Whether you want to mount them directly on the bimini or dodger, these panels give a streamlined look while still providing access to the power of the sun. 

Rigid Solar Panels 

Rigid solar panels are a more cost-effective approach that still provides plenty of power. These panels are generally mounted in frames over the bimini or the back deck of the boat. Regardless of which panel option you choose, both give you peace of mind, knowing you won’t fully lose power to your sailboat. Even while at anchor or if dock power goes out, the critical electronics will be able to continue functioning with the power coming from the solar panels. 

Want to Learn More? 

Check out the full Marine 101 series on our YouTube channel or through the Academy page on our website. If you have further questions or need help designing the perfect marine power system, our technical sales team would love to help! You can reach them by calling (855) 292-2831 or emailing [email protected].