Monocrystalline flexible solar panels provide about 12.5 watts per square foot maximum and cost about $12.75 per ft*2 not installed. Installed cost will vary but I would plan around $50.00 per ft*2 for a small system. Rated performance is with the sun perpendicular to the panel so average for daylight is more like 4 watts per square foot. The bridge roof on my boat, for example, is about 200 square feet with only 60 of that really useable for pre-designed panels (suitable areas not occupied with equipment and not on compound curves). That gives me an average of 240 watts of power for about 12 hours per day of sunlight at an estimated installed cost of around $4500. That's about 17.5 amps at 13.5VDC or just less than 2 amps at 120VAC which, as I see it, not cost effective based upon current cost of other energy sources like diesel and gasoline. My current DC electrical system idles right at 10 amps (a few lights on and other constant current blood suckers) in which the solar panels would simply keep the batteries at full charge. If I lived on the boat and wanted to be energy independent then this would probably be a different story with quite a few unsightly sacrifices and most likely a different boat. But, to your question, there is no realistic means to invert and operate the AC power system with solar panels on the boats like we have.
. In my mind I would not DIY install that system without some serious thought and professional input on how to handle any fires resulting from the installation of such batteries. Its not a question of if they have a problem, but when and how often. Boeing predicted a battery fire every 10 million flight hours, but in reality it was every 25,000 hours. That might seem like an eternity on a pleasure boat except if the failure happens in the first hour of use.
I think solar and wind are at best augment power generation on a boat. Cut down on how often and long you need to run the generator. On a cruising sailboat, a real consideration. For a lake boat under a covered dock, not necessary. There is a video of how to sew solar panels onto the top of your Bimini or camper top on sailrites website. I’ve never done the calculation on the flexible type they used, but I doubt it’s much output. Certainly enough to keep batteries topped up and extend battery life between charges, but a pretty expensive option.
The lithium battery are certainly one of the best option as far as power density in a small, light package, but they are not without their issues as well. Fire being the biggest threat.
Boeing has serious issues with the 787's Li Ion batteries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787_Dreamliner_battery_problems) Even a latent manufacturing defect (defects that can not be inspected for or missed in inspections) can cause a thermal runaway condition, and once those things start on fire, you had better have a serious fire suppression system in place. I am not certain about the state of my halon system, and do not wish to live fire test it
So for me, given the small amount of power, frequency of use, and intended use, flooded or AGM's are going to be just fine. I'll leave that upgrade to the next owner.
Lol! You got that right!I try to avoid doing this math. The cost is high, and there is no reasonable financial rationalization for any of this. If I did this, I'd have to sell the boat and put the money under my mattress.
I am building a rack for rigid panels on my boat on top of the canvas using parts from Gemini marine products . Pictured are the fittings for one side the concave fork mounts will be fastened through the canvas to the bimini bows I plan on reinforcing the canvas at these points with a heavy pvc material that higher end inflatable kayaks are made from since that is already in my shop
Wow 15 g is large I can't imagine it being that much it's not a house.lol. however even if that's correct it works out to 1200 cups for 2 at 4 bucks a piece lol
