Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

Apr 26, 2025by: Curtis Hoff No Comments

Riding the Solar-Coaster with Maxeon

Our friends at Sun Power Yachts provide an update regarding the CBP detention of Maxeon solar panels, the planned New Mexico factory, and what this all means for projected inventory this year. More affectionately known as the ‘solar-coaster,’ because solar always seems to be in flux, and certainly has its share of ups and downs. Sun Powered Yachts Has Limited Supply of Maxeon 330w Panels.

Riding the Solar-Coaster with Maxeon

We hope this finds all of you happy and well and enjoying the start of spring. Read on for updates regarding the CBP detention of Maxeon solar panels, the planned New Mexico factory and what this all means for projected inventory this year. More affectionately known as the ‘solar-coaster,’ because solar always seems to be in flux, and certainly has its share of ups and downs. We’re buckled up and have been on this ride for many years so we’re able to navigate the changes.

Since 2022, Maxeon has successfully made over 8,000 shipments from Mexico into the U.S. in full compliance with UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act). However, a large shipment of panels (156 containers full!) was detained by CBP in July 2024. Maxeon has submitted compliance paperwork but the CBP continues to detain the panels. Maxeon’s latest press release provides an update on their appeal with the U.S. Court of International Trade. Maxeon has taken extraordinary measures to ensure a clean and traceable supply chain, free from forced labor.

CBP’s decision does not prevent Maxeon from making future imports of the same or different solar panels with modified supply chain traceability documentation, as each shipment is evaluated independently. We continue to hope for a timely resolution and in the meantime are doing our best to keep panels in stock.

Looking ahead, in 2025 we’re excited to be back exhibiting at the Annapolis Boat Show in October. We look forward to catching up with so many of you and helping new boat owners go solar too. Katie will be in Newport Beach next Thursday May 2nd to check out the Newport Beach Boat Show. Hope to see some of you at the shows or out on the water this year!

Aloha, Katie & Lyall

Maxeon Panel Supply

Due to the CBP detention, no one in the USA has been able to purchase new Maxeon panels for many months. We have varied supply while we wait the release of the 435W, 470W and 475W panels which should be tariff free. Please check our shop for the most up to date fixed frame panel options. As yet, we have no plans to raise our prices because of tariffs.

Shop Maxeon 435W

Made in USA

Ahead of building a factory in Albuquerque, Maxeon is leasing a factory there to jump start panel assembly in the USA. George Guo, Maxeon CEO stated:

“We are committed to working with the Trump Administration as well as leaders in New Mexico to deliver our cutting-edge, high efficiency solar products to our residential and utility-scale partners active nationwide. Domestic manufacturing is the right thing to do, regardless of tariffs. Bringing our unique, patented technology together with a diversified and resilient supply chain is the recipe for Maxeon’s long-term success.”

Maxeon Air 330W

We were able to import a second pallet of these large format flexible panels to our Arizona warehouse. We have not been told when Maxeon will go ahead with another production run of these. So if you have your eye on this specific panel, get yours before they sell out.

The 330W panels are sold individually or as 1x and 2x panel bundles in our shop. If you would like a custom quote please contact us with more details on your project. With a zipcode for delivery we can put together a freight quote and also size MPPT controllers & other system components.

Shop Maxeon Air 330W

Send us your install photos and we will share them on social media and add to our install gallery and install list too. Your installs help guide owners with similar boats as to what’s possible aboard.