Boats
CAPSolar × Millikan: A collaboration that elevates the M.10 into a remarkable solar catamaran
25 Nov 2025
For the launch of the M.10, its first electric–solar catamaran, Millikan Boats had a clear ambition: deliver a modern, silent and sustainable navigation experience while preserving the boat’s distinctive aesthetic identity. It is within this context that Millikan approached CAPSolar. From the very first discussions, the challenge was clear: develop a solar solution that is high-performance, elegant, and perfectly adapted to the geometry of the boat’s wings.
Technical challenges: limited space and demanding marine conditions
The wings of the M.10 were not designed to accommodate standard solar panels. The constraints were significant: curved shapes, specific dimensions, continuous exposure to harsh marine conditions, and the added weight of the glass panels already installed on the roof.
The mission was therefore to design a solar solution capable of delivering substantial power while preserving the visual identity of the future M.10 units, and meeting all technical and environmental constraints. CAPSolar’s flexible, lightweight and fully custom modules naturally emerged as the optimal solution.
A custom 2 kW solar system engineered for the M.10
To meet these requirements, CAPSolar designed a 2 kW solar system composed of 14 panels, including six fully custom units. Each module was engineered specifically to optimize every available square centimeter and to follow the exact curvature of the wings.
This tailor-made design allowed us to integrate panels both on the top and underside of the wings, harnessing sunlight reflected off the water to generate additional power.
This level of integration was made possible through our engineering expertise and a close co-design process with Millikan’s technical team, ensuring alignment with the boat’s shapes, structural constraints and operational requirements.
The result is perfectly consistent with the boat’s original design: a premium solar solution in harmony with the lines of the M.10, powerful enough to enable full energy autonomy at sea. Millikan’s CEO highlighted the success of the integration, describing the panels as “efficient, beautifully designed, and perfectly integrated into the wings.”
His comments reflect the final outcome: an aesthetic, functional, and truly seamless solar integration.
A first success that marks the beginning of a long-term partnership
The trust expressed by Philippe, CEO of Millikan : “CAPSolar responded to our constraints and expectations with creativity and intelligence” confirmed that this first integration went far beyond a simple prototype. A second boat is already in production, and six additional units are scheduled for 2026.
This marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration and signals an important shift for a marine industry increasingly seeking performance, efficiency and sustainability.
