Solar Array

Since then, the modules have been bonded to a complex retractable vacuum-bagged foam-core substrate built by Bob Stuart. There's massive structural detailing in this system, including internal wiring channels, sealed connector bays, receivers for the locating pins on the gunwales and locking rods for same, and lockdown fixtures for the ama ends. The only problem is that we got bitten by a lack of research... the 1" foam core is such an effective insulator that the modules get too hot in operation, derating their output considerably and stressing the adhesives. It appears that I'm going to have to take a router, remove the back skin and entire foam core, then bond in a simple open "egg-carton" structure of 4mm okoume plywood to handle body weight while allowing some air ventilation to the back of the top skin (4mm ply sheathed in 6-oz fiberglass).

Europa, the second Microship in the fleet, is developing a tradition of learning from the mistakes on mine... she'll be using aluminum instead.

From a system perspective, the array consists of eight 60-watt channels (each of which is two parallel 30-watt modules). These 8 channels are piped independently to the peak power trackers, allowing the boat to be partially shaded without severely impacting photovoltaic performance.

The best online and print resource covering renewable energy systems in all sorts of applications is Home Power Magazine.

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