Great way to mount rigid solar over your bimini

We are constantly asked if a Standard Canvas Bimini can support rigid glass solar panels safe and effectively. The answer is a resounding ‘NO’.

Of course we all have dockmates who have loaded their bimini tops up with one or two solar panels and sailed the lakes for 20yrs with no issues. However, I have lost count of the number of stories I’ve heard that when these lake cruisers head south and into real ocean conditions….how fast a perceived ‘tested’ system is suddenly off the boat and sinking to the bottom. Finally a good solution if you don’t want a full blown arch.

See a detailed Catalina 42mk2 Project Blog on this solar install. Click Here

Enhanced Stability for Solar Panel Mounting

In many do-it-yourself installations, you’ll often find 1-inch bimini frames connected with small set-screwed deck fittings. These fittings are not robust enough to withstand the dynamic forces of ocean swells and waves, particularly in a lateral direction. While they may suffice in the tranquil waters of a lake, they fall short in the demanding conditions of open seas.

Historically, solar panels have been mounted using various methods, such as crossbars on rear davits, lifelines, the forward deck, or atop the dodger. Although our comprehensive davit solar arch system is the superior option, it may not be the most cost-effective for everyone. To address this, we’ve designed a more compact and economical arch specifically for mounting solar panels. This streamlined design is reinforced by connecting it to the sternrail pushpit, providing additional stability through solid 1-inch struts (not shown in the image).

For instance, consider a Ticon 30 vessel that we equipped with two 320W CS3K Solar Panels from Canadian Solar. The setup not only accommodated the solar panels efficiently but also allowed for the integration of a GPS antenna mount, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of our solution.