Sailing yacht owners ourselves, we offer a small range of solar power solutions for sailing yachts. We recommend the MUST hybrid inverter that gives you mains electricity as well as being a battery charger. Zendure flexible solar panels and the Superbase V portable power station are interesting alternatves to a conventional solar installation. Charged by solar, mains, or the engine alternator it replaces much of a controller/battery based solar power system providing 12 and 230v electricity to your yacht.

River cruisers need solar power when they spend some time in the same place. On the move they generate enough electricity to cover their needs. We believe that a portable power station is usually the best solar power add-on for river cruisers.  Connect portable solar panels and they provide 12v and 230v mains electricity. They can be charged from solar, mains, or the engine alternator. In capacities going from 1 to 5Kw at reasonable prices, they need no installation of any kind. Stop where you want, take it out, and you’re away!

We live on a large house-boat that is 100% off grid. Our electricity consumption is like that of any other small home. Our water heating is electric, we have a dishwasher and a washing machine as well as all the usual lighting needs. It took us time to get it right and yes we do have a small generator in case short dark winter days do not generate enough. All that vital personal experience is the foundation of our business and what allows us to offer experienced advice.

The needs of narrowboats are very similar to those of our sailing yacht. There is limited roof space for panels, and the boat is probably wired for 12v. Consumption is modest. We like the Zendure 210w flexible solar panels – exactly the right dimensions for your roof – and the Must hybrid inverter charges your 12v batteries and gives you up to 1500w of mains electricity. Even less conventional we know that a Zendure SuperBase V provides a complete narrowboat energy management system for 12 and 240v needs. Charge it from solar, mains, or the engine alternator.

Widebeam roof space allows for a solar array sufficient to make the boat 100% energy independent even with the usual domestic appliances. Most widebeams are 12v based, using an inverter for 220v power. They are better served with a solar system based on 48v batteries and a hybrid inverter. Wiring and appliance costs are lower. There is little on a widebeam that has to have 12v! High capacity 48/51.2v LifePo4 batteries are now the best choice. Once again the Zendure Superbase V power station provides an attractive alternative that does everything with zero installation costs.