eohm.com Solar and Electric Powered Boat Information

Solar Panels

There are different kinds of Solar Panels; Silicon Monocrystalline, Silicon Polycrystalline, and Thin Film - Triple Junction.

Solar panels, or photovoltaic panels, consist of many individual cells made from two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, most often silicon.

Solar panels exposed to light generate electricity.

Solar panels are generally maintenance free and many manufacturers will supply a guarantee of electrical output sometimes for as long as twenty years.

Solar panels are available that are flexible enough to bend and fit slight curves on board an electric boat, and also can be strong enough to be walked on.

Solar Panels are most efficient when directly facing the sun so a means to position the solar panel as the sun moves across the sky would maximise the available solar power - not always practical on an electric boat.

Solar panels are an expensive way of producing electricity, and the electricity is certainly not free, if the capital depreciation cost of the solar panel is taken into account.

Solar panels efficiency and ability to produce electricity is reduced if even one of the cells in the solar panel are in shadow. Thin Film Triple Junction Solar Panels are most resistent to this loss of power caused by clouds or shadows.

Solar Panels

Solar Power on the web.

Introduction to Solar Electric Boats - Introduction to Solar Electric Boats - Has a simplified diagram and explanation of what is needed to create a solar powered elctric boat.

Select Solar Ltd - Select Solar Ltd - UK supplier of photovoltaic solar products. Offers 12v solar power charging kits, pv solar panels, charge controllers (including Morningstar), solar chargers, and many other solar powered lights, gadgets and toys. Also has good information pages and a solar power FAQ.

Barden Batteries - Barden Batteries - Barden UK are Leading Suppliers of deep cycle batteries, chargers, inverters, solar panels, and wind generators. Barden UK Limited comprises two divisions, Barden Batteries and Barden Energy. Good resource for all renewable energy products.

Renewable Energy Remote Power & Lighting Systems - Renewable Energy Remote Power & Lighting Systems - Renewable Energy resource and supplier. Information and products in the following categories: Renewable Energy, Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Hot Water, Wind Power, Water Power, Regulators, Towers, DC-AC Inverters, Batteries and Cable.

Solar Navigator Small Sailboat Links - Solar Navigator Small Sailboat Links - Solar Navigator Small Sailboat Links has a useful list of sites relevant to the small sailboat user. Of particular interest are the Environmental Sites which include electric boat and solar power sites.

Free Solar Power - Free Solar Power - A good overview site for an introduction to free solar power. There are solar power tutorials and design tools. The site is well laid out and has lots and lots of useful solar power information. Well worth a look.

Shell Solar - Shell Solar - The Solar Power pages at the huge Shell corporation.

SailGB Solar Panels - SailGB Solar Panels - A great information page detailing how solar panels work.