Battery and charging installation shown in our projects — View the existing project photos

Marine Solar Panel Installation

Marine solar panels put charge into your boat’s batteries when there is daylight, without running the engine or connecting shore power. We fit marine-grade panels, their cabling and MPPT controllers, with the charging settings matched to the bank already aboard. The useful starting point is what you want to keep running while the boat is away from a plug.

Solar is a charging source, not an unlimited supply. On a mooring it can support unattended loads; at anchor it can replace some of the energy used by refrigeration, instruments and lights. The result depends on available panel space, shading, weather and consumption. Start with those limits rather than expecting one panel to make the boat self-sufficient.

Putting daylight to work while the boat is unattended

A battery can lose charge even when nobody is aboard. Connected equipment, monitoring and other standing loads may continue drawing power. Solar can help offset that demand, but a panel should not disguise a drain that needs fault finding. If the bank regularly goes flat, establish what is using energy and whether the batteries themselves remain serviceable before buying more charging equipment.

For time at anchor, write down the equipment you actually leave switched on. Refrigeration and overnight lighting create a different pattern from occasional phone charging. Our marine solar panels guide explains the broader choices; the fitting job turns those choices into a protected, accessible charging circuit on your particular boat.

Finding a mounting position that suits the boat

An arch, bimini, deck or rail can each offer a useful location, but there is no universally best position. Consider shadows from rigging and nearby structures through the day, not just the sunlight falling on the proposed spot during a visit. A large panel in persistent shade may be less useful than a smaller arrangement with clearer exposure.

The mounting must also leave the boat workable. Check whether sheets can catch, whether a bimini still folds, and whether deck access remains comfortable. A panel should not become a handhold or obstruct a hatch. Send photographs showing the whole mounting area as well as close-ups, so the installation can be considered alongside normal movement aboard.

Taking the cables below without inviting leaks

A solar circuit needs a planned route from the panel to the controller and onward to the batteries. Deck glands, cable support and protection against rubbing deserve the same attention as the panel itself. Water following a poorly arranged cable into a locker can damage equipment well away from the original opening.

Cables should not sit against sharp edges or be trapped by folding canvas. Put connections where they can be checked and kept out of spray. We assess the route, the entry point and access beneath it before fitting. Existing holes can sometimes be useful, but their condition and the space available still need checking.

Matching the controller to the bank and other chargers

An MPPT controller manages the solar input and applies a charging profile appropriate to the batteries. Its suitability depends on the panel arrangement as well as the bank; choosing only by the label on a panel misses part of the design. The controller needs a suitable mounting space and protected connections to the battery circuit.

Lead-acid, AGM and LiFePO4 banks require their own charging settings. Lithium also means checking how charging interacts with the battery management system. Where Victron monitoring is present, the solar contribution should be understood alongside alternator and mains charging rather than treated as an isolated addition. Our lithium and Victron service pages cover that wider integration.

Working out an array from the loads, not a headline rating

List the appliances, how long they operate and which loads are essential. Compare that demand with the space the boat can genuinely offer for panels. The battery-bank sizing guide helps organise the consumption side of the decision; it is more useful than assuming the panel’s rated output will be available throughout every day.

A battery monitor can help show whether the installation is keeping up with use. Poor weather and shade remain part of the calculation, so retain an appropriate alternative charging method. Solar does not make damaged wiring safe or remove the need for battery isolation and correctly selected circuit protection.

Information to send before discussing the fitting

Include the boat details, battery chemistry, existing chargers and photographs of the proposed panel position. If equipment has already been bought, send the labels and instructions too; its suitability needs checking before installation. Explain whether the priority is unattended charging, longer stays at anchor or reducing engine use.

Battery connections can deliver dangerous fault currents even with the engine stopped. Do not move exposed conductors or try temporary unfused connections to see whether a panel works. Describe the arrangement and let the fitting plan cover isolation, protection, cable routing and commissioning together.

Frequently asked questions

Can a solar panel look after a bank on a swinging mooring?

It can contribute charge while the boat is unattended, provided daylight input is sufficient for the standing loads. Persistent battery drain or poor battery condition should be investigated rather than hidden by extra panels.

What does an MPPT controller change about a boat installation?

It manages the panel input and battery charging. It needs to suit the panels, how they are connected and the battery type. Check the settings against the equipment instructions.

How is solar charging connected to an existing lithium system?

The controller profile and charging path must suit the LiFePO4 bank and its battery management arrangements. Alternator and mains charging are considered alongside the new solar source.

Will you assess panels I have bought before fitting them?

Yes. Send their specifications and pictures of the proposed mounting position. Equipment sourced by the owner is inspected for suitability before it is installed.

Which photographs help plan a solar fitting quote?

Show the panel location, the route below deck, the battery compartment and labels on existing charging equipment. Include enough surrounding detail to identify shade, access and possible cable entry points.

Plan solar around your boat

Send the mounting photographs and battery details with your enquiry.