We use about 225 amps a day to supply the needs of 'Tropical Dance'. When you do the math on keeping the batteries charged using only wind and solar it doesn't work, (wish it did). We have only a Kiss generator to help cut down on the generator usage. Generally we run the generator for 2 hours a day with the charger on the Heart invertor (130 amp) . On a good tradewind day the Kiss wind generator is capable of cutting the generator run time in half.

If we wanted to use less amperage we'd have to swap out all the bulbs to 'led', replace both our refrigeration systems and cut down on our inverter usage the added perks it give us.

All this would cost perhaps $20,000.00 and make the boat a lot more complicated not to mention all the territory and added structure it would take to install a bunch of solar panels.

8 years ago we decided to just run the generator the 1 or 2 hours a day. When we start it up it charges the batteries, heats the water, runs the air conditioner ( to dry the boat out ) and allows us to charge all the battery powered electronic junk (computers, handheld vhf, camera, etc.) for the days usage of electricity. The generator and inverter is on the boat and works. If the generator fails we have the main engine to back up charging although with good maintenance it's never been used as a fall back position.

It would be great to configure the boat to maintain iltself without the generator. On a large boat with high energy needs it's just not worth it.

Time got to go,,, need turn the inverter on to perk the morning coffee and toast some home made bread.