During mid-May in La Paz, BCS Mexico, at 24 degrees North, the four solar panels produce power as follows:

9 AM - 10 amps
11 AM - 2 PM 25+ amps
4 PM - 15 amps
7 PM - 3 amps

The four solar panels are mounted on an aluminum arch built by Atlantic Towers in New Jersey. The arch is made from round 2" aluminum tubing. The tower is very strong, I climb on it to clean the panels.

The blue fitting on the stern, just above the swim step, is the mount for the Sailomat wind vane. When we are at anchor we remove one bolt and then remove the Sailomat. We can then use the swim step and ladder as needed.

We carry a 2 HP Suzuki outboard as a spare in case the 9.8 HP Nissan fails.

The shore in the distance is the El Magote anchorage and peninsula on the north side of the La Paz inner harbor.

In the picture to the right you can see the round Anchorlina reel that holds 180' of 2" webbing that serves as the anchor rode for the 22 pound Danforth that is carried next to the Anchorlina roller. We use 15' of 5/16" BBB chain with the Danforth.

The triangular set of stainless tubing sticking out aft from the arch is the hoist for the outboard. We use a 4:1 block and tackle with 1/2" line to raise and lower the 61 pound Nissan from its mount on the stern pulpit, just aft of the Lifesling.

We have a 35 watt light mounted on a swivel on the solar panel arch. That light can be seen on the far side of the arch. We can sit in the cockpit and read at night or we can work in the cockpit with a real BRIGHT light on.

Each solar panel has it's own junction box and is independently wired to the common junction box mounted on the bottom of the top rail of the arch. You can see the 0/2 battery cable hanging down from that box , just to the right of the backstay in the center of the picture.

Each solar panel can be connected or disconnected from the system independently of the others.

There is 20' of 0/2 battery cable connecting the common junction box to the 12V bus bar in the engine room. The battery cable runs thru the inside of the forward 2" tube of the arch, down thru the deck, and into the engine room.

This picture was taken while in the Chula Vista Marina, just south of San Diego. That is the fishing pier in the background.