Pacific Yacht Systems · video

What this video covers

Achieving total energy independence through solar power depends primarily on available mounting surface area.0:42 A 55-foot powerboat equipped with a 2,200-watt solar array can operate indefinitely without a generator, engine charging, or shore power for three months of the year, even while powering high-draw appliances like washing machines and dryers.0:53 For most vessels, the practical sizing rule for a solar array is a factor of four: a daily consumption of 200 amp-hours requires an 800-watt array.2:04 This calculation assumes summer conditions with high sun angles.2:11 Solar installations do not require an all-or-nothing approach; partial arrays effectively extend time at anchor by reducing the frequency of engine-run charging or shore power reliance.2:39 Panels can be mounted on hardtops, canvas, decks, railings, or dedicated arches to maximize surface area.1:36

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