This is a short guide to installing flexible solar panels to a narrowboat.
How long do flexible solar panels last for?
No doubt, less long than their rigid counterparts. Rigid panels offer 35 year warranty.
2025 – After 7 years, the top laminate of the panels has started to peel off. This gave a bubbling effect to the surface of the panels where the laminate had come away from the main part of the flexible cell body.
With a knife, I peeled away this protective laminate in it’s entirety. The surface below was slightly gummy, but the working surface of the panels was still intact.
Both of those panels still generate electricity, and from my latest measurements, at the same rate as the new set of flexible panels I put on some years later.
I hadn’t made much difference.
I have to keep them cleaner, and the surface is slightly cracked.
So, how long do flexible panels last for? In their brand new and no different 7 years. For me
Background
I’ve lived on my boat for 2 years. When I first started, I was located in a Marina. Everything was laid on, showers, water, electrical hook-up.
It reminded me of a high-rise flat for boats. After my boat was painted, I took it up on a journey to the most Northern and Southern reaches of the UK canal system.
It was called Bonnie Journey, in the name of the boat. You can read about it here.
It included some cycling, which I had to postpone due to injury. Whilst I was waiting for my injuries to recover, I stationed myself on the Kennet and Avon.
Kennet and Avon
As visitors to this waterway will know. Kennet and Avon Marinas are few and far between.
I decided to try continuous cruising. When you’re continuous cruising, all your energy has to be self generated.
You’re entirely ‘off grid’. In winter, generating power was a case of starting the engine.
As the sun began to shine, in the run up to spring, I began to think of the advantages of solar.
After my boat was fully painted, I decided that the next job to be done, was to fit some solar panels, and take advantage of the free energy!
I’m now in a position to do that.
Researching
Most people are going to find that this is the most lengthy part of the process.
Before you shell out large sums of money, you want to ensure you’re getting something which is fully compatible with your needs.
The first question you need to ask yourself before fitting solar is –
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