Solar on Olson 30?

[OlyJeff]

Hi everybody, I'm looking for pics and ideas of how to install solar on an Olson 30. I have 2 Lightleaf panels I would like to use, but I'm not sure how to install them. Here is a picture of what they look like. They are designed to clamp to a rail, and you can change the angles. 110 watts each.

Technology of LightLeaf Solar Panels — LightLeaf Solar

Aerospace carbon composite materials meet the world of solar energy - with Rigid Overlay Composite (ROC™) technology. Solar panels that are lightweight, rigid, and tough.

www.lightleafsolar.com

 

[todd22123]

panel that size is usually going on the stern. good to have one on top of the boat or ready to plug in in case a wave knocks the back one off.

 

[OlyJeff]

That's a nice-looking Dodger. I had a 29 and wish I had kept it.

 

[BobJ]

The aft two panels on Surprise! are attached to the stern pulpit with white plastic blocks with set screws (West Marine, etc.) and at the front ends to the lifeline with cable clamps. The blue lines steady the panels and enable side-to-side adjustment. They stayed attached to the boat through a Pacific Cup and windy return trip.

 

[BobJ]

Here's the underside. I used aluminum channel and thin bar stock to make the stiffeners. Drilling through the panel for the center bolt was a no-no per the manufacturer, but it needed that extra attachment. I was careful to avoid the internals and it worked fine. Note the stays didn't work well when tied to the midpoint of the panels, so I added little eyebolts and moved them to the front corners.

It was a fun project that saved me a ton of money over custom-built backing frames.