Do you need detailed assistance with your electrical systems? Contact our Pacific Yacht Systems division.
Solar DIY Kits
Our Solar Kits feature Sol-Go Flexible Solar Panels, and contain everything you need for a do-it-yourself marine solar installation.
Each solar kit contains:
- 1 or 2 Sol-Go flexible solar panels
- Victron MPPT Solar Controller
- 30’ pair of premade solar panel wiring (MC4)
- Jump cable for optional series panel connection (MC4)
- 10’ premade power wiring harness (with fuse and holder)
- Waterproof Bluesea brand cable inlet
Click a Row for Product Details
| Vendor | Product | Price | Power | Panels | Controller | custom 4 | custom 5 | custom 6 | custom 7 | custom 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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ROTON | SGKIT-115 |
$798.00
$888.00
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115 w | 1 x 115w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-386 | $1,898.00 | 386 w | 2 x 193w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-332 | $1,748.00 | 332 w | 2 x 166w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-193 | $1,098.00 | 193 w | 1 x 193w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-166 | $998.00 | 166 w | 1 x 166w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-420 | $2,148.00 | 420 w | 2 x 210w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-370 | $1,898.00 | 370 w | 2 x 185w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-330 | $1,748.00 | 330 w | 2 x 165w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-276 | $1,558.00 | 276 w | 2 x 138w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-230 |
$1,398.00
$1,488.00
|
230 w | 2 x 115w | Victron 100/30 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-210 | $1,198.00 | 210 w | 1 x 210w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-185 | $1,098.00 | 185 w | 1 x 185w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-165 | $998.00 | 165 w | 1 x 165w | Victron 75/15 | ||||||
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ROTON | SGKIT-138 | $898.00 | 138 w | 1 x 138w | Victron 75/15 |
Solar Accessories
Solar Power - FAQ
How much Solar do I need?
There is no single answer to this question. Useable solar energy is a combination of how much energy your solar panel(s) put out (wattage) and the capacity of your battery bank to store this energy (amp/hour).
For example, a minimum system of perhaps one 115w panel connected to a 500aH battery bank may be just enough to power a small fridge most of the time.
- Larger solar panels will produce more instantaneous power, and will charge up a depleted battery bank faster.
- Larger battery banks will store more energy so you can draw down the energy you've created with your solar panels for a longer period of time.
The other two major factors are often:
- Cost - how much will you spend on a solar system?
- Mounting Area – how much physical unobstructed space do you have to mount the panels?
Contact us and we can help you figure out the right solar system for your boat.
Why do I need a Solar Controller?
A solar controller is what turns a solar panel into a battery charger.
Solar panels put out constant energy when in sunlight. Their voltage output is determined by the cell configuration, but it is rarely 12v. Marine batteries, however, need to be charged using very specific charge profiles. These voltage, current, and time parameters vary based on battery chemistry, and must be strictly adhered to in order to maximize the charge state and lifespan of the batteries.
Your solar controller is what manages this – it takes raw energy in from the solar panels, and uses it to properly charge your battery bank.
What is MPPT?
MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking, and is a highly efficient technical method of using raw solar energy to charge batteries.
Most modern charge controllers utilize MPPT, however some less expensive (or older model) solar controllers utilize a less efficient PWM method.
PWM controllers should be avoided, as they produce significantly less charging output from a given solar input.
What is Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline?
Both of these terms Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline refer to the chemical makeup of solar cells in solar panels.
Polycrystalline cells have traditionally been the cheaper option, but they are less efficient. They need to be physically larger than Monocrystalline cells to generate the same amount of energy.
As solar technology continues to improve, and prices continue to fall, this trade-off is less important. Monocrystalline panels now dominate the market, offering highly efficient operation in a smaller footprint without a significant price penalty.
Should I connect my Solar panels in series or parallel?
As a rule, it is recommended to connect your panels in series rather than parallel.
Two identical panels in series will double the voltage of the circuit without increasing the current (amps) This is important because current (amps) is what dictates the size of wire that needs to be used, and also determines how much voltage drop may occur in the circuit. So, keeping the amps low keeps the wire smaller and the voltage drop lower.
It is important, however, to ensure that your MPPT solar controller is rated for the max current (amps) that your solar panels will produce.
We recommend in general that you limit each solar circuit to 2 panels. So if, as an example, you have 4 panels - put 2 in series on one MPPT controller, and 2 in series on a separate MPPT controller.
Controllers are relatively inexpensive, and this configuration will offer you system redundancy in the unlikely event of a panel or contoller failure.
How do I mount my Flexible Solar Panels?
There are many options for mounting flexible solar panels.
As a rule you don't want to walk on solar panels, so a solid roof or canvas canopy is an ideal location.
Flexible solar panels can have zippers sewn into the sacrificial material surrounding the cells. Mating zippers on the canvas can keep panels securely fixed in place.
Other options include:
- double-sided tape (or adhesive) on roofs
- tiedown using the grommet holes provide on the panels
- rare-earth magnets to sandwich the panels in place on canvas
- stowing the panels when under way and laying them out when stationary