Solar Marine Electronics Tops List of Boating Market Trends

Solar energy has established itself as a viable energy source for homes, office buildings and even entire cities. Now solar energy is setting sail on houseboats, yachts, kayaks and even ocean liners. Today’s boaters now have a complete range of new solar technology to select from. And this selection includes not only hundreds of solar powered electronic gadgets, but also a wide range of portable solar energy sources.

All of these new solar technologies virtually eliminate the need for trips to shore and make living at sea more of a life style option than ever. With solar powered water makers (air to water converters), solar cookers, solar radio controlled bait boats, and your solar powered iPod, television and navigation equipment, your boating trips can be longer and even more comfortable.

The new solar boating life style is also cleaner, easier and safer. Solar energy and electronics doesn’t require costly and messy petroleum products, bulky electrical generators or high maintenance. And more than that, solar devices produce direct current (DC) and not the more dangerous alternating current (AC), greatly reducing the risks of electric shock.

If you’re a boater, where life at sea is the life, first consider solar panels and solar battery chargers. And that’s because with these devices you will have a solar power source to obtain energy to power and a way to recharge your batteries for days when the sun isn’t shining.

For those that think solar panels are too bulky, rigid and heavy, take a look at the latest solar energy sources. Today you can find a wide selection of lightweight and portable solar panels and even flexible solar rolls. These solar rolls are nifty. To use, solar rolls are rolled out. Since they are flexible and lightweight they can be actually be hung.

Not only are they lightweight, but can be rolled up and readily stored in your solar backpack or solar suitcase. Solar rolls weigh as little 7 ounces and can be rolled up just like a roll of paper towels, however smaller. A typical solar roll has cylindrical dimensions that include a height of 12 inches and a diameter of 3 inches, or if you like to think in volume, a little under 90 cubic inches.

Most manufacturers provide electrical specifications for solar rolls along with their dimensions. However, because manufacturers often design solar rolls for specific types of popular electronic devices, you won’t have to be concerned about the exact current, voltage and watt specifications. One manufacturer, for example, suggests that satellite phones and laptops use its 900 ma solar rolls, but for charging cell phones and PDAs suggests the 300 ma version.

As a contender for your solar shopping list, consider a rotating solar mast. A solar mast can be used to mount your solar panels and solar rolls. Because it rotates, the amount of solar energy obtained can be maximized. Simply rotate the mast a few times a day in the direction of the sun. Or for cloudy days, use a pyranometer, to determine the direction from which the highest solar energy comes.

Besides these devices, there are solar marine lanterns, solar powered buoy lights, solar powered satellite phones and solar powered bluetooth GPS receivers. But don’t forget solar powered battery chargers. Most solar powered electronic devices also have battery back up for when the sun is not shining. You might want also want to read about solar powered torches. Some of these torches are integrated with solar battery chargers and emergency warning light beacons.

To pack all your solar powered electronic gear, one of the best alternatives to traditional luggage is solar luggage and solar backpacks. Solar luggage has solar panels or solar fabric attached to or sewn into their sides. So not only do you have a great way to pack your clothes, but have an energy source to boot.

For protecting your smaller items consider solar waterproof bags. These bags, like solar luggage, also come complete with solar panels sewn into the fabric. Furthermore, not only can you store all your portable electronic devices in these bags, but you can also charge them at the same time.

One final tip, before you load up on solar technology, take some time to research the market. Because solar technology is advancing so quickly, today’s latest solar technology is quickly becoming obsolete. So head to the crow’s nest and look out for new and better solar products on the horizon.