Solar Panels on Boats Course
This course gives you the tools you need to make the most of solar energy on board. You will learn how to select, install and maintain photovoltaic systems, optimizing your vessel's energy use and reducing its environmental footprint. You will master the principles of solar energy, the components of the system and the best practices for a safe and efficient integration.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Solar Panels on Boats Course?
This short course prepares you to design, install and maintain photovoltaic systems on all kinds of vessels, from sailing and motor yachts to fishing, work and charter boats. You will study how photovoltaic conversion works and how salt, humidity, vibration, heat, partial shading and the movement of the boat affect it; the types of marine panels, PWM and MPPT charge controllers, lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium batteries, inverters, protections and marinised wiring; how to calculate daily demand and size the solar array; how to integrate it with existing battery banks, alternators, shore chargers and generators; and how to mount, connect, commission and troubleshoot the installation.
What sets this course apart: a method for calculating real energy demand on board and sizing the system to cover it; clear criteria for choosing panels, controllers, batteries and inverters; a step-by-step installation guide with wiring schemes and advice for a safe, long-lasting result in a salty environment; practical diagnosis of shading losses, poor connections, voltage drop and other common faults; examples for different types of vessel; and an integrating project in which you design, plan the commissioning of and evaluate a solar system for a real or simulated boat.
Program highlights
- Solar basics at sea: photovoltaic effect, peak power and the effects of the marine environment.
- Component selection: rigid, flexible and semi-flexible panels, PWM and MPPT controllers and inverters.
- Batteries and integration: lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium banks, alternators, shore chargers and generators.
- Sizing and layout: daily demand, equivalent sun hours and panel layout on deck, bimini or hardtop.
- Installation and commissioning: mounting, sealing, wiring, protections, functional tests and fault finding.
- Integrating project: solar design and performance evaluation for a real or simulated vessel.
Syllabus of the Solar Panels on Boats Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of solar photovoltaic energy in the marine environment and criteria for energy integration on vessels
- 1.1. Principles of photovoltaic conversion: solar radiation, the photovoltaic effect, peak power and the electrical behavior of modules in real operation
- 1.2. Characteristics of the marine environment for solar systems: salinity, humidity, vibration, temperature, partial shading and the movement of the vessel
- 1.3. Types of vessel and energy demand profiles: leisure, sail, motor, fishing, work, charter and auxiliary craft
- 1.4. The role of solar panels in the vessel's energy architecture: support for hotel services, batteries and auxiliary loads and reduced generator use
- 1.5. Key parameters for photovoltaic design on board: available space, orientation, expected production, autonomy and compatibility with the existing electrical installation
Photovoltaic technologies, system components and equipment selection for demanding nautical applications
- 2.1. Types of solar panel for marine use: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, flexible, semi-flexible and rigid, by performance and installation environment
- 2.2. Charge controllers and associated electronics: PWM, MPPT, charging curves and selection criteria by system voltage and usage profile
- 2.3. Batteries and accumulators linked to the solar system: lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium and criteria for integration with onboard consumption
- 2.4. Inverters, protections and electrical distribution: DC/AC conversion, isolation, fuses, switches and system safety
- 2.5. Cabling, connectors and marinised materials: corrosion resistance, voltage drop, watertightness and reliable connections in a salty environment
Design, sizing and integration of solar panels with the vessel's electrical and structural installation
- 3.1. Calculation of daily energy demand and the consumption profile: lighting, electronics, refrigeration, pumps, communications and auxiliary services
- 3.2. Sizing the solar array: installed power, equivalent sun hours, safety margins and coverage of demand
- 3.3. Integration with battery banks and existing charging systems: alternators, shore chargers, generators and hybrid supply systems
- 3.4. Location and layout of panels on deck, bimini, hardtop, cabin roof or auxiliary surfaces: performance, safety and accessibility
- 3.5. Mounts, fixings and structural solutions for the marine environment: mechanical strength, wind load, vibration and impact protection
Installation, commissioning and technical verification of solar photovoltaic systems on vessels
- 4.1. Preparing the installation: preliminary inspection, compatibility of the electrical system, tools, materials and safety conditions
- 4.2. Solar panel mounting procedures: fixing, sealing, ventilation, mechanical protection and prevention of leaks
- 4.3. Electrical connection of the system: series and parallel strings, controllers, batteries, inverters and coordination of protections
- 4.4. Commissioning and functional tests: checking polarity, voltage, current, battery charging and controller response
- 4.5. Diagnosis of installation errors and early faults: shading losses, poor connections, voltage drop and abnormal behavior
Integrating project: design, installation and evaluation of a solar panel system for a real or simulated vessel
- 5.1. Definition of the case study: type of vessel, cruising profile, energy demand and autonomy or efficiency objectives
- 5.2. Selection of the architecture and components of the solar system: panels, controller, batteries, protections and overall integration scheme
- 5.3. Development of the technical installation design: physical location, production calculation, wiring, fixings and safety measures
- 5.4. Preparation of the commissioning and functional verification plan: tests, expected parameters, acceptance criteria and handling of incidents
- 5.5. Evaluation of expected performance and operational impact: energy balance, reduced auxiliary consumption, maintenance and economic feasibility
Duration and format of the Solar Panels on Boats Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Solar Panels on Boats Course
Career opportunities after the Solar Panels on Boats Course
Questions about the Solar Panels on Boats Course
They provide a renewable, silent source of energy to charge batteries and power electrical systems, reducing fuel use and the noise of the generator.
It depends on the space and the use: rigid monocrystalline panels give the best performance where they can be fixed securely, while flexible and semi-flexible panels suit curved surfaces and biminis. The course explains how to choose.
The course compares both and shows how to choose according to system voltage, panel configuration and usage profile; MPPT controllers usually extract more energy, especially in larger or higher-voltage arrays.
Yes. You learn how to integrate solar charging with lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium banks, configuring the charging curves and protections each chemistry needs.
Yes. It is designed both for professionals and for owners who want to size, install and maintain a system on their own boat; where local rules require an authorized electrician, the course helps you understand and supervise the work.
You choose a vessel and cruising profile, select the components, design the installation, prepare a commissioning plan and evaluate the energy balance and economic feasibility of the system.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. It is taught fully online, so you can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at boat owners seeking energy independence and less reliance on generators, marine technicians and installers who want to offer solar installation services, naval engineers and designers integrating solar power into new builds, nautical enthusiasts who want to install and maintain systems on their own boats, and charter companies and boatyards looking for more sustainable options; basic knowledge of electricity and electronics, or experience maintaining electrical systems on boats, and the ability to read wiring diagrams and use a multimeter are helpful.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.