Sailing on sunshine

Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, but how do you decide which type to buy?

- By Ali Wood

Solar technology has improved vastly over the past decade, so much so that yachts today can handle much of their power requirements through renewable energy. It's rare to see a cruising boat without some kind of solar arrangement, whether that's a single panel fixed to the guardrails, or a dedicated arch and flexible panels on the foredeck and coachroof.

By converting sunlight into battery power, solar panels reduce the amount of money you need to spend on fuel, as well as giving you the freedom to moor outside of marinas. And, of course, in addition to reducing your expenditure, you're lowering your carbon footprint.

You might just want a solar panel to trickle-charge your battery when your boat's unattended, but on the other hand, a generous arrangement (provided you have enough space) could cover autopilot, radio, lights and even the fridge. On most boats, though, a hybrid solution, including wind generation, and to a lesser extent hydro power, will be the answer to going completely off-grid, and if you invest wisely and ask the right questions, your solar panels will soon pay you back.

Word from the trade

Marlec Engineering equipped record-breaking sailor Jazz Turner with wind and solar power, allowing her to sail her 27ft Albin Vega FEAR solo, nonstop round the UK and Ireland, becoming the first disabled person to do so.

“Jazz is incredible, really inspirational,” says managing director Adrian Dennis. “She wasn't allowed to touch land or start the engine, so she had to do the whole journey on renewable power. We had to come up with a system that worked for long distances over day and night hours.”

Dennis explains that for anyone doing a long passage, solar alone is not sufficient.