Course How To

Solar Power for Electricity for Houseboats

by Stacey Shapiro
(Key West, FL)

Solar Power Panels for Houseboats.

Solar Power Panels for Houseboats.

What do I need for Solar Panels on a Houseboat? I am going to be living on a 38 foot houseboat in Key West, out in the Gulf. I'm wondering about solar power for electricity, cable and internet. Is this possible?


Do you know how many panels I would need for a houseboat like this? I have been researching online, but I can't seem to get an answer. Any answers would be most appreciated, and would give me a starting point.

Thank you, Stacey.



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Reply - Answer
Well Stacey, that's a great question since many houseboats are using solar panels for power. There are either using solar panels as their sole source of power, or to using them to augment their "anchor out time".

Many houseboaters also have a small generator for times when solar panels are not generating as much as possible because of cloudy days.

The two words that are important to understand and figure out are consumption & generating capacity. In other words, in simpler terms it's the "in & out" or available power coming in, and your power demands going out.

You have to calculate the consumption needs of your equipment and houseboat, and match that with an appropriate amount of solar generating capacity.

Once you calculate and figure out your needs, and you want to look at some good solar panels, you will find these of interest.


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their houseboat solar power experiences.

Here are two interesting solar power articles from our readers.

Solar Houseboat Plans

Solar Powered Houseboats



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starstarstarstarstar 		Solar Panels, Batteries and Refrigerators
by: roger

Stacey, I think this is a question a lot of houseboaters should be asking because running a generator is expensive and annoying.

Refrigeration is your #1 user of electricity so chose wisely when selecting one. The chest types are best but are a pain. Freezers use less but freeze everything. If you must have a/c it just doesn't workout with solar panels, it consumes far too much power.

Now to your question, if you get 4 x 130 watt solar panels and at least 4 deep-cycle batteries, you will run most of everything [or 8 golf cart batteries which I prefer] you'll have a good start.

My houseboat is totally self sustaining outside of the engine. I have written a few articles which you can find on this site about my experience with them.

Hope this helps, Roger, Somewhere,FL.

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