Solar Panel/Gas Tank Cover

[Vipersdad]

I am in the process of doing some measuring to possibly mount a solar panel on the top of my outboard gas tank cover.  I am planning to mount it with some rubber spacers under the corners of the panel to leave airspace for cooling.  Has anyone else used this surface for a panel?

V.

[NateD]

I would image the shadow from the tiller would kill your panel efficiency.

From: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&page=Charging-with-Solar-Panels#.UaZJm5wtVA4

^{Shadows covering even a tiny fraction of the panel have a dramatic impact on power output, especially for crystalline panels. Shaded cells show a large voltage drop that acts as a barrier to useful power production, and shading a single cell on a panel can cut its output by 20% or more. Shading two or more cells effectively turns off the panel until the shadow is removed.}

[Vipersdad]

Good point.

V.

[Salty19]

I'm no solar panel wizard, but have read about them quite a bit and agree with Nate.
Since the tiller is so close to the locker lid, chances are good it will see a shade "stripe" for most of the earth's rotation.
If it was higher, it would only block part of the time.

There might be a way to mount it OVER the tiller while away from the boat then move it down on the fuel locker cover when sailing (just to get it out of hte way).  Extendable/folding legs or the like...just a thought.

Another thought..some of the newer panels are less effected by shadows/blocking.  I don't recall the exact type, but seem to remember reading about cutoff circuitry for cells that are at low voltage (due to shade or bad voltaic cells).

Another idea is a concave or angled flat mirror assembly on either side to fill in the shade with indirect reflected light. That seems complicated and fragile..but an idea nonetheless.