Sailing Umavideo
We Covered Our Boat in Solar. Is It Enough? | Step 492 (Part 3)
13 July 2026 · 29 min · 104K views
Dan stomps solar panel as Kika watches nearby
What this video covers
To maximize solar energy production on a sailboat deck prone to frequent shading, the crew of the 40-ft catamaran Uma installed 1.5 kilowatts of solar power divided into 17 independent, redundant mini-arrays.▶ 8:34 By wiring panels in small, isolated groups and utilizing bypass diodes within each panel, the system ensures that shading on one section does not compromise the output of the entire array.▶ 4:03 The installation uses Maxxeon Gen 3 cells, which are selected for high shade tolerance.▶ 9:08 To manage the electrical layout, the crew routed oversized 4mm cabling through custom 3D-printed brackets behind cabin-top ceiling panels, allowing for easy troubleshooting and maintenance.▶ 11:49 The system incorporates multiple layers of safety, including dedicated fuses for each zone and MPPT charge controllers that step up voltage to charge a 48-volt battery bank.▶ 13:25 This modular design ensures that damage to a single panel or controller results in only a marginal loss of total power, maintaining system reliability despite the unpredictable shadows cast by rigging and sails.▶ 19:40
More from Sailing Uma
From Sailing Uma — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.