We have a bimini on our boat in the US. Essential kit as far as we were concerned in such a hot climate. Sprayhood should fold down (or unzip, as ours does) to allow through draft, ours also has the option of just unzipping the centre panel, which is useful. Clear panel above allows unfettered view of sails so no problem there. We sat our solar panels on top of the bimini frame which was useful but we realise we lost the ability to fold it all down should we need to. However, gain in battery charging capability more than compensated for this! The whole canvas can be de-rigged if necessary but we'd be left with the frame standing, so would look like a radar picket.

Make sure the bimini design has grab handles accessible outside the canvas! This is sometimes forgotten and can be a bit inconvenient when lurching out of the cockpit in a sea and finding nothing but acres of smooth canvas to scrabble at...

Having spent half a year on board with one we couldn't consider extended cruising without one now. Keeps the rain off too.

Neil