28/08/2026
☀️🔋 Solar has been in the headlines this week… but what about solar on your boat?
From 27 August, approved plug-in solar systems became legal to buy and use across the country, giving more households a simple way to generate their own electricity and potentially reduce their energy bills. The new home systems can provide up to 800W of power, with government estimates suggesting savings of up to £110 a year.
It all sounds straightforward at home… panel + sunshine = cheaper electricity.
But what about when you’re afloat? 🤔
Do you already have solar on your boat?
Would you like to add it, but aren’t sure what size panel you need?
Will it keep your batteries topped up while you’re away?
Can you run your fridge from it?
Do you need a new battery as well?
What’s an MPPT controller… and why do you need one?! 😵💫
You’re certainly not alone.
The good news is that marine solar doesn’t need to be complicated or hugely expensive. We have starter solar kits with 50W panels from just £139, giving you an affordable way to begin generating power onboard and reducing your reliance on shore power.
Solar is also a great way to keep your batteries topped up when the boat is sitting on a mooring, or ashore for winter storage, and can be especially useful over the winter months when the boat may go longer between trips. A small, well-matched system can help maintain battery condition so you’re not arriving back at the boat to find everything flat!
If you want to go further, we can help you build a system around the way you actually use your boat — from straightforward solar charging through to setups incorporating lithium batteries, battery monitoring, inverters, smart charging and shore power. We stock a growing range of Victron, Fogstar and other marine electrical equipment in the Chandlery, and our team can talk you through the options.
⚡ Not sure where to start? That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Pop into Dale Sailing on Brunel Quay, Neyland and have a chat with the Chandlery team about what you want to achieve. Tell us what equipment you use onboard, how long you spend away from shore power and what you’d like your electrical system to do — and we’ll help make sense of the options.
☀️ The sun is free… you just need the right kit to make the most of it! 🔋
