Semi flexible solar panels

Semi flexible solar panels for narrowboats and canal boats

SunWorks has produced a range of semi flexible solar panels specially designed to fit to the cabin top or deck of your boat.

Semi flexible solar panels for narrowboats and canal boats. Click here for our selection guide...

What size of solar panel should I choose?

SunWorks semi flexible solar panels range from 20 watts to 110 watts. We recommend a 50 watt panel if you simply want to keep your battery topped up ready for the next trip.

A 110 watt panel will provide extra power when you are away on holiday in your narrowboat.

We recommend using two 110 watt panels if you want to be independent of a mains hook-up. Two panels can be connected together to work as one large panel.

How do I fit the solar panel?

These panels are quick and easy to attach to the deck or cabin top of your boat. Simply bend the panel to the shape of the deck and glue it in place. Use Sikaflex 252 adhesive to attach the panel. This is the best adhesive and ensures a safe and secure installation.

Then take the cable through the deck or cabin top via a sealed roof gland. Fit a suitable charge controller. Finally, connect the cable to your battery via a fuse.

High performance is guaranteed thanks to the ‘back-contact’ monocrystalline technology. Because the contacts are behind the cells more sunlight can get to the active area. As a result more charge goes into your battery.

How to get the best from your solar panel.

Because you want your solar panel to perform as well as possible, you should use a high quality charge controller. A good charge controller will protect your battery from overcharging. It will also ensure that the maximum charge goes into your battery. If you use a dual battery controller you will be able to charge the engine battery as well as the leisure battery, from the same solar panel.

SunWorks solar panel charge controllers offer the best performance, and the longest battery life. We have been designing and building special charge controllers for all kinds of boat since 2002. Please contact us if you would like to know more, or read our guide on solar panel charge controllers.

You may also like to consider our our semi flexible solar panel kits. These kits provide you with carefully matched solar panels, charge controller and cables.