1. Is there any recommendation for solar panel instalation along this route?

2. Does anyone have ideas or info about hard panels mounted on a hardtop?  (Typically we see only soft flexipanels sticking to hardtop). 

3. Any ideas on installing them ourselves (?)

4. Any info you can share about specs that work for you (panel sizes, mppt and connections) all would be helpful.

thanks!

I bought semi flexible panels from Wattstunde.

https://www.wattstunde.de/produkte/solarmodule/efx.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.wattstunde.de/produkte/solarmodule/efx.html

I have six 125Wp panels and two times 65Wp which makes a total of 880Wp.

Last year I decided to install a solar arch with 2x210W rigid panels.  Since then I have not used any shore power and don't think I have actually used the max energy (3.5kW?) I am capable of harvesting.

Whist the semi-flexible panels may be more aesthetically pleasing, they are much more expensive and I believe they will have a shorter life.  Rigid panels will generally perform better as they will run cooler with an air gap under them.

With a hard Bimini, I would definitely investigate getting rigid panels mounted into an aesthetically pleasing frame.

I can recommend Victron products for shunt and MPPT controllers.

I installed all this myself. The major issue is running cables through the hull.

Plenty of pictures of my installation elsewhere on other posts.

Here's a few pics:

And if we use rigid panels do you think it looks good?

 I would love if somebody use it and send the pictures. 

Did you compile this list for expecially the measurements of Hanse 460 Hardtop.? We don't have boat yet and we need to order the panels. We have searched for exact measurements of the haed top. But havent found them. 

Do you think that brand is good ?

After doing some research, Wattstunde seems to be a manufacturer with good quality and panels in the right dimensions.

I have talk some company's in Portoroz and waiting for quotes..One of them quite expensive..he said that Cables are coming down from inside of iron leg of hardtop. I was dreaming there is hole inside of arc. But I learned that there is not. I wonder is there enough space to bring Cables to the Batery area

.

 They could only give us a very expensive appointment 1 month later.  We bought the products and hope to find someone to install them on the way, probably in Montenegro.   Urgently  As needed, we temporarily glued 2 × 155 W panels to the deck using 3M double-sided tape.   We also moved it to the battery area from the rear toilet side window and mounted it on Victron 100/50 mppt.  We are currently producing 1.6 kwa per day.    After this experience, we gained confidence in mounting on a hardtop, but I need to find answers to 2 questions.   

1. How will we use or attach the panels to the hardtop?   

2. Where can we pass the cables from the hard top to the rear cabins to the WC and reach the batteries? İs anybody has a plan?

How will we use or attach the panels to the hardtop?

You can use double sided tape, Sikaflex or other glues.

Where can we pass the cables from the hard top to the rear cabins to the WC and reach the batteries? İs anybody has a plan?

Some parts of the hardtop are hollow. If you open the three inspection holes, you can see that area. You have to locate the panels and drill holes into the hardtop in that area, to get the cables inside the hardtop. Finally you have to get all cables to the portside, to lay them thru the stainless steel support to the rear portside cabin.

In the portside cabin you can connect your charger to the winch, or you lay the cables from the bed, thru the engine area, the water heater, underneath the table to the batteries.

Are there any drawbacks to gluing panels on hard top with Sika?  I didn't trust the double-sided tape very much.  Or should I trust?

Solar panels won‘t live forever. You have to replace them after a few years. Sika will make it much harder to remove.

This is a great set up, I’m looking at an arch for my 400

Could I ask, how do you get to the end of the boom if you need to?

Thanks Eoin 

When we open the holes in the middle of arc under harttop there is 3 hoses and insede rope. I thought that robes bring the cables to down.  But we couldn't flnd where is connecting. Is anybody knows ? Or is there any body has idea.

Do you have any photo or video how you did. Or may be some more specific information aboute cable passes. 

Either I pull the boom to the side a bit and stand on the coach roof or a winch or I put one of the kids on the hardtop. 

I can also use a boat hook from the stern to open the sail bag the last little bit if needed. None of this is too much of a hassle which we’ve used for many years and many miles and well worth the compromise.

Cheers

Joel 

Do you have the electric winches?

Yes I have. 

The electric winches will make it easy.

 more. Ewen istary water maker it is enough. But I can onlyy start 1 freezer 1 refrigerator. 

I will install 2.more Victron 165  battery .

We can do a little summary. That helps everyone to compare his results and see how effective the installation works.

Wp / max / normal / energy day / region

S&J: 1.220Wp / 30A / - / 3.500Wh / Med

marsella: 933Wp / 31,5A / - / 3.750Wh / Caribbean

mr-ludi: 880Wp / 32A / 39A / - / Med

 I was planjing to add 3 more 100 w panels but electrician who was installing said that you shouldn't install together wiylth others and you should use another mppt. Byt some others said no problem. I really confused.  What is your opinion?