Slicing through the open water on a boat can be one of the most exhilarating and life-affirming experiences one can have. There is a sense of unrestricted freedom and adventure when your hair is blowing in the wind and the shower is lashing your face.
Solar generators are becoming more and more popular for RVs, motorhome camping, and tiny residences, but their use on boats has been steadily expanding for years. There has never been a better time to install a generator on your boat and take advantage of the clean, renewable energy and silence they give, with the next generation of solar generators now available on the market.
Here is our pick for the top marine solar generators for 2022.
3 Top Marine Solar Generators for Boats
Eco Flow DELTA Max + 400W Solar Panel
With a 400W solar panel, the Eco Flow DELTA Max bundle is a powerful solar generator ideal for boat use. It's not overly large but still has plenty of energy. The DELTA Max is compatible with a range of solar panels. It has a 2kWh capacity with a single 400-watt solar panel, which you may increase to 6kWh with DELTA Max smart additional batteries. Additionally, the DELTA Max may be expanded by adding additional panels thanks to its solar connector and voltage range of 11-100V.
With Eco Flow's maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology, optimal solar generation may be achieved throughout the day even if cloud cover becomes a concern. The DELTA Max can charge from 0% to 80% in just 65 minutes, so you don't have to wait around for hours for it to charge. You can increase your capacity to 3400W by using the EcoFlow Smart Generator and AC charging; it will be difficult to find something equivalent elsewhere.
Additionally, the DELTA Max has an IP68 waterproof rating. Its many monocrystalline silicon cells feature an ETFE layer coating that shields the panels from moisture, dirt, and debris.
The DELTA Max has emerged as a top option if you're looking for a marine solar generator because it is light enough to carry but powerful enough to run a boat of reasonable size.
Eco Flow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel
The DELTA Pro is the only choice when going large is necessary. A 400-watt solar panel is included with this solar power monster. It has a 3.6kWh capacity that may be increased to 25kWh.
Look no farther if you're seeking for the best solar generator on the market. Nothing on the market comes close to the AC output of the DELTA Pro, which is more than capable of driving large equipment like refrigerators and hair dryers.
With speeds of 3400W, it also boasts one of the quickest charge times. With solar power, it may be fully charged in 2.8–5.6 hours. You can finish in just 1.8 hours if you charge it from an AC wall outlet. In terms of portable solar generators, it's a speed that is essentially unheard of.
With the brand-new LFP battery that powers the DELTA Pro's 6500 cycles, you won't have to worry about replacing the battery for years to come.
The DELTA Pro is simply unrivalled when it comes to the best solar power options for your boat. This powerful solar generator is pushing the limits of what is currently feasible.
EcoFlow RIVER Pro + 110W Solar Panel
The EcoFlow River Pro might be the right choice if you're looking for something smaller that can yet deliver a significant energy boost while being conveniently stored on a small boat.
Its dimensions are 11.4 x 7.1 x 9.3 inches (28.9 x 18.0 x 23.5 cm), and its weight is 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg), which is about equivalent to two and a half bricks. Compared to the DELTA Pro and DELTA Max, the RIVER Pro is significantly smaller. However, that constrained exterior houses a lot of solar technology.
The RIVER Pro has a 720Wh capacity, which you can easily double with an additional battery. This is more than enough power for boat trips, outdoor group activities, and camping trips.
The RIVER Pro can charge ten things at once and offers a variety of charging choices, including three pure sine wave AC outlets. It prevents disputes about who will charge their phone next.
It can be charged using a wall outlet and EcoFlow's X-Stream technology from 0% to 80% in under one hour, however solar charging with two 110-watt solar panels would take between 2 and 4 hours.
The RIVER Pro is a great alternative for small to mid-sized boats or if you need a highly portable solution because it is quite tiny yet has lots of power.
How to Buy Solar Generators for Boats and What to Look For
If you're considering buying a solar generator for your yacht, there are a few important considerations you need to make.
The boat's dimensions and power requirements
The size of your boat and the intended amount of electricity you plan to use are perhaps the most obvious places to start. Are you merely searching for something that will allow you to fish in a small boat while running a radio and a refrigerator, or are you seeking for something considerably bigger?
While it is true that huge generators can be utilised for smaller tasks, it is debatable if you want to spend more money on considerably more power than you require. Going for the biggest and best can be tempting, but if you have a big boat and need a lot of power, that may be the best course of action. If you need something to power a few low-consumption gadgets on a tiny sailboat, you could be better suited with a more portable solar system.
Consumption of energy
To get a more precise picture of energy use, you must first get a general sense of how much energy is used. Do you require a source of power to run the entire vessel while motoring or deploying the anchor? Or are you just trying to find something to add to your current power supply?
You must conduct an audit of every electrical gadget you want to use onboard, noting how much power it uses and how long it is in use if it isn't a continuous-running appliance. For instance, refrigerators typically run nonstop, whereas lights, cooktops, and phone chargers are only seldom used.
It can be challenging to put together your power audit, but the effort is worthwhile. Before spending money on a solar generator, it's useful having a general understanding of how much energy your yacht uses on a daily and weekly basis. This doesn't have to be exact.
Solar collection optimization
In recent years, solar energy's efficiency has increased dramatically as its cost has decreased. But before making a purchase, there are a few things to think about. When you purchase an EcoFlow solar generator, you also receive a Portable Power Station that can also store electricity from a wall outlet or a car's output, as well as supplemental solar panels for when you wish to go off-grid.
Imagine that you have completed your boat power audit and are looking at a staggeringly high number. In that case, you have two choices: increase your solar collection or decrease the amount of power input that is necessary (which is sometimes difficult for large boats).
Purchase additional solar panels. However, your chosen generator will only have a certain quantity of battery storage, so adding more panels won't always be the solution unless you have extra batteries to store the extra power (see extra batteries below.)
The off-grid solar dream should also be given a dash of realities. Many people see themselves driving through crystal-clear blue sky as their solar panels voraciously consume power, but that isn't always the case. Sunlight is, to put it mildly, unpredictable, so make sure you know how many sunny days there are typically at your boating destination and consult the forthcoming weather prediction.
On cloudy days, solar panels can still generate electricity, however they may do so with less efficiency.
Installation of Solar Panels
The size, effectiveness, and location of your solar panels should also be kept in mind. The solar panel sizes that we stock from Ecoflow are 60w, 110w, 160w, 220w, and 400w. These can be bought separately or in packages along with your solar generator. All of the available solar panels are foldable and transportable to save space.
The solar panels are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and costs. It's fine to decide you want a 400 watt solar panel, but at 94 inches (239 cm) broad when unfolded, it does take up a lot of room, particularly if you intend to use it on a tiny boat.
However, a 60 w solar panel may fit into practically any small place and still not produce enough solar energy to operate the EcoFlow DELTA Pro generator.
Spend some time considering the solar panels you want to purchase. Will you need to fold and unfold them, or is there somewhere on the yacht where they may be conveniently left open? How will you keep them safe on the boat if you intend to leave them unfolded?
Extra Battery
For longer journeys or increased use, it can be worthwhile to purchase an additional battery. Your solar generator can run longer with the help of intelligent batteries.
Additional batteries are simple to attach and can be purchased straight from EcoFlow. Depending on how much extra power you require and the type of solar generator you use, you have a number of possibilities.
The DELTA Pro has a 3.6kWh capacity and is available to give you a solid understanding of how additional batteries operate. To power nearly everything, there is more than enough. But you can essentially quadruple that to 7.2kWh with just one EcoFlow DELTA Pro Smart Extra Battery.
It's fairly unusual for boat owners to double or triple the amount of battery storage they have, providing them with an enormous amount of potential power to keep the boat moving on those lengthy voyages.
The smaller and lighter EcoFlow RIVER is no different. The generator may simply be expanded to quadruple its capacity by adding an additional battery.
EcoFlow Smart Generator
You can choose to install the Smart Generator for large yachts and extended sea voyages. It offers the EcoFlow DELTA Pro or Max's best backup option.
If your EcoFlow DELTA Pro or Max runs out of power, the Smart Generator is a stand-alone generator that can run autonomously and elegantly step in to fill the hole. The DELTA Max can be powered twice by its 4L fuel tank, allowing you to continue using other essentials in the interim. It has an 1800-watt output that can be used with AC or DC outlets, and the complete Smart Generator can be customised and managed through the EcoFlow app.
The Smart Generator is around 25% more efficient than comparable generators with direct DC to DC charging, making it the ideal travel companion for extended boat journeys where you're continually consuming more power than you're producing.
Long after other generators have packed up shop and left, this backup generator is the ideal safety net that will keep the lights on, the fridge cold, and the phones charged. The Smart Generator is a wise choice when your power requirements are at their highest.
Conclusion
Leisure Power provides the ideal solar generators from EcoFlow to meet every requirement and circumstance, whether you're looking to power a little fishing boat for quick journeys across the lake or something more substantial that can support a larger boater for longer voyages.
It might be time to switch to something novel if you're sick of the terrible chugging sound and smells that diesel generators are known for. On marine vessels, solar generators can revolutionise your energy supply in addition to reducing your carbon footprint.
Visit our EcoFlow collection for the best and most complete selection of solar generators available anywhere for any size boat and power requirements.
