The ideal wattage for solar lights on a modest-sized boat typically falls between 10 to 20 watts. This range provides ample illumination for navigation and safety without overwhelming the smaller space. . The number of peak sun hours, during which panels perform at their best, depends on the area where you're sailing at and the time of year. In the USA it ranges from 4 to 5 hours on average. Let's assume our array is going to give its all for 5 hours a day. Hourly power output of our marine solar. . The number of watts sufficient for a boat solar light depends on several factors, including the size of the boat, the intended use of the lighting, and the desired brightness level. Generally, 10 to 20 watts can adequately illuminate small boats; 2. For larger vessels, 40 to 80 watts is. . For solar, take the rated wattage x 5 hours/12 = amp-hours while on passage and wattage x 7 hours/12 = amp-hours while at anchor (sails do not shade and the boom can be rigged out to the side). This is far below the rated capacity-sailors in the tropics will do better, and sailors farther north or. . Estimates the energy production of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable. . An average 30-foot boat will need about 350 watts of solar power to maintain electricity. To determine how many panels your boat needs, you need to figure out how much power it uses, which you can easily do with a battery monitor. It also depends on how big your boat's battery is. Larger boats with more electrical appliances and systems generally require more solar panels to meet. .