Simon Angus’ journey to founding Open Waters Solar is as unconventional as it is inspiring.
What began as a personal sailing project has now evolved into a company on the cutting edge of renewable energy technology, aiming to reduce reliance on diesel generators in the marine and transportation industries.
With the support of a recent $450,000 grant from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, Angus’s vision is set to scale new heights.
A Passion for Sailing Sparks Innovation
Angus’s story starts far from the world of manufacturing, in the coastal waters of British Columbia. After emigrating from England in 2004, he purchased a Catalina 27 sailboat in Kitimat, BC. Sailing through the Douglas Channel with his young family, Angus fell in love with the serenity and adventure of the open water. Though his career took him away from the sea and into Alberta for a time, his passion for sailing remained, and he rekindled it by chartering sailboats in the Caribbean.
But Angus was no ordinary sailor. With a background in engineering, his mind was constantly at work, imagining improvements and solving problems. When he set out to design his own all-electric, off-grid sailboat, each challenge he faced became an opportunity to innovate. By overcoming these hurdles, he not only built a self-sustaining boat but also developed custom components that would later serve as the foundation for Open Waters Solar.
The Birth of Open Waters Solar
One of the biggest challenges Angus encountered was in finding solar panels that met the needs of his ambitious project. He was unimpressed with the available options—most were bulky, inefficient, or ill-suited for marine use. Refusing to compromise on his vision, Angus decided to design his own solution: ultra-durable, lightweight, flexible, and sleek solar panels specifically tailored for marine applications. His creation was a game changer, and thus, Open Waters Solar was born.
Open Waters Solar is not just about producing innovative solar panels. It represents a broader mission to end the reliance on diesel generators for power in marine and transportation sectors. By offering an eco-friendly alternative, the company seeks to help operators reduce their carbon footprints while benefiting from reliable, sustainable energy sources.
Scaling for Success
Open Waters Solar’s potential hasn’t gone unnoticed. The company recently received a major boost in the form of $450,000 in government funding from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, announced by Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation. This capital will allow Open Waters to retrofit its Prince George facility with advanced, automated equipment, bringing its new product line to full commercialization.
The expansion is set to create 20 full-time jobs in northern B.C., helping diversify the local economy and reduce dependence on the forest sector. With this investment, Open Waters is poised to enter new markets and scale its operations while contributing to the province’s clean energy goals.
Looking Toward the Future
For Simon Angus, the road from a passionate sailor to a clean energy entrepreneur has been long but rewarding. “Creating a new product from conception is not an easy task, and we would not be successful without provincial funding opportunities,” said Angus. “The production plant will directly create high-paying manufacturing jobs in northern B.C., helping to diversify employment opportunities from the forest sector and sets the stage for future growth.”
With his vision now coming to life, Angus’s dream of building an all-electric, off-grid sailboat is no longer just a personal project. Open Waters Solar is leading the way in marine solar technology, helping to chart a course toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for the maritime and transportation industries. What began with a single sailboat in the Douglas Channel has grown into a company that could redefine how the world harnesses solar power on the water.
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