Sailing Yabávideo

We Increased Our Boat’s Solar Power Without Adding More Panels. Here’s How! — Sailing Yabá 271

8 June 2025 · 29 min · 59K views

What this video covers

The crew of Yabá installs a custom stainless steel solar panel support structure on the stern to relocate four existing solar panels from the cabin roof. The project aims to improve solar efficiency by eliminating shading from the boom and to clear deck space. The installation involves drilling into aluminum mounting plates, securing the panels with stainless steel hardware, and applying Loctite to fasteners. The crew routes new wiring from the stern structure to the existing battery bank, connecting the panels in series. The relocation provides additional shade for the aft platform and barbecue area while ensuring the structure remains within the boat's maximum beam. The modification successfully optimizes solar intake by preventing partial shading, which previously hindered the system's output. The project demonstrates that relocating panels to a dedicated stern arch can improve energy harvest and deck utility without requiring additional solar capacity.

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