Installation Overview

These installation photos show a marine solar panel frame with a 1760W 41V solar array on our test boat Willow. Willow is a 2005 Cabo Rico 42 Pilothouse with a 13’6″ beam equipped with a new Victron AC/DC electrical system including a 1320AH smart Victron battery house bank, 4 X 330Ah LiFePO4, 2 solar chargers, Multiplus 3000VA Inverter that allows for quiet nights at anchor without the need to run the generator for the air conditioning or other systems.

Solar panel frame considerations

Willow was chosen as a small cruiser size sailboat and a “difficult” installation model due to the need for differential height vertical supports and canted decks, and with a coach house-mounted traveler. There are three panels ahead of the backstays and one behind comprising 2 banks.

Extra frame length, a total of 18 feet, was selected to allow for a dinghy to be raised at night in anchorages for security and to mount various antennas, including Starlink Maritime, without shading the panels.

Solar panel bimini frame for yachts with minimal windage. Shown with four Miami-Dade hurricane rated rigid Aptos DNA 440 Watt 41 Volt Bifacial Panels. Additional extension for hanging dinghy and mounting antennas without shading panels. Panels slide off to upgrade or for major storms in less than 5 minutes per panel. Extrusion channels hide wiring for neat installations.

Solar panel frame for yachts mounting details — Simple L extrusions create a DIY marine anodized aluminum Solar panel bimini frame on yachts without welding. Panels slide off to upgrade or for major storms in less than 5 minutes per panel.

Traditional canvas bimini for sailboats before mounting the DIY solar panel bimini frame. Cockpit side mounts restrict movement in and out of the cockpit and access to winches. Reduced standing head room as compared to the DIY solar bimini.