Solar Panels installed this year are keeping up with ship's power consumption. Four SunForce crystalline panels are perched atop the bimini's tubular stainless frame. Two 60 watt and two 85 watt panels straddle the back stays and leave a central gap for viewing sails, mast and boom through a clear window sewn into the canvas. The number and size of the panels was selected for fit with the contour and border of the bimini yet still maximizing the output. The bigger panels are rated at 4.9 amps, which basically means these panels each could theoretically generate that level of power during maximum sunlight exposure. For practical purposes, I calculated about 50% of maximum due to angle of sun, random shadows of boom and mainsail. Thus about 10 amps as an average output for the array during peak daylight hours. In fact, with cloudless skies, the panels collectively start generating about 1 amp just after sunrise which climbs quickly to 5-7 amps midmorning. Midday the output can spike up to 14 amps but because the ship's battery bank is topped off by this level of recharging, the controller ratchets back the surplus output.
Typical ship's requirements include fridge/freezer, chartplotter, radio, autopilot, tridata electronics which collectively consume about 3-8 amps, depending on the fridge. Key is to pack the freezer at least 70% full. When the compressor is "on" the fridge draws about 5 amps alone.
In conclusion, this array works well for the ship. It should be noted that radar, if needed for long stretches, could tap the system beyond its limits. However, in those cases, it may be likely to have the engine assisting.
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