Solar Panel on Sea Hood

 The local RTM store (Road Tech Marine) had solar panels on sale. I really wanted to install a flexible panel but found it difficult to get one that would fit neatly on the sea hood. The panel I chose was a solid aluminum framed panel.

It was a 12V, 40W Monocrystalline Panel with 4mm (MC4) PV. Connectors. It measured 664mm length x 408mm wide x 25mm height, I intend to connect it through a DCC charger with a built in MPPS solar regulator.

To fix the straight panel to the curved sea hood top I had to pop riveted 2 x 90 degree aluminum angles together.

The first angle section is pop riveted to the underside of the solar panel.

Then the second section is shaped and pop riveted to the first.

The bases of the second section are secured at a slight angle to conform to the sea hood.

After centering the panel, I marked the screw hole's location on the sea hood and secured it with 8 round head self-taping screws, however the screws were slightly longer than the thickness of the sea hood.

To give maximum strength for the self-taping screws I glued 4 blocks to the underside of the sea hood. While the blocks provide additional purchase for the screws they do not interfere with the sliding hatch.