solar powered electric catamaran

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80 Sunreef Power ECO Sól

• Sustainable

DISCOVER THE MODEL

Description.

Sunreef Yachts launched the world’s most advanced electric motor yacht , Sol, in its Gdansk facility in Poland . The luxury catamaran is customized to the owner’s specifications and uses the latest green tech to attain the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency.

Apart from being equipped with two 360kW engines and a set of 990kWh batteries, this electric catamaran boasts Sunreef Yachts’ revolutionary solar power system with panels fully integrated with the composite structures. Owing to this in-house engineered technology, the 80 Sunreef Power Eco provides unrivaled solar power for extended range and a clean cruising experience.

The solar catamaran was commissioned by an experienced family of yacht owners deeply engaged in sustainability and looking for the perfect eco-responsible motor yacht. The four-cabin catamaran boasts a custom-tailored layout and décor to accommodate eight guests in full luxury. With an energy-saving air conditioning system and smart energy management, this  electric yacht  sets new standards for  eco-cruising .

To know more about the 80 Sunreef Power Eco and the entire Eco range , feel free to contact the Sunreef Yachts team.

SPECIFICATION

• ECO VERSION

Construction

Length overall

Beam overall

12+4 (crew)

Solar panels

Main engines

990 kW (700 Volts)

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+48 58 769 77 77

The award-winning entry to solar-electric yachts

As the successor to the Silent 64 (the first ever solar powered production yacht to cross the Atlantic Ocean during January of 2018), the 60 Series is equipped with the most refined, efficient and clever technology available today. Being a multi-award winner, including the prestigious “Best of Boats Award” in the category of ‘Best for Travel’, she embodies solar electric yachting in its purest form. Available in a variety of deck and cabin options, the Silent 60 is ideally suited for families cruising with or without additional crew.

Specifications

Deck options, silent 62 flybridge.

The flybridge version with a retractable roof offers enough space for a dining area with a small lounge and a dedicated helm station. For owners who do not need the additional space of the 62 3-deck configurations, the flybridge version offers enough space and outstanding 360° visibility.

Silent 62 3-Deck Open

An additional open deck instead of the flybridge combines the benefits of larger catamarans with the compact dimensions of the 60 Series. The open sky lounge is a fantastic outdoor community space, equipped with a full dining area including a panoramic view and a superyacht atmosphere.

Silent 62 3-Deck Closed

The closed version of the 62 3-Deck further develops her character as a compact superyacht. Providing additional indoor space, the closed third deck is available in two options: a choice between a sky lounge or an exclusive owner’s deck makes sure it can be tailored towards individual needs.

Model variations

Front Master Version

• Available for every deck option (flybridge, 3-deck open & 3-deck closed versions)

The Master cabin is located below the bow in the front of the main deck. This replaces the additional exit in the front of the salon.

Front Exit Version

Hereby the salon on the main deck is equipped with an additional exit in the front. The Master cabin moves to the side of the hull in the lower deck.

3-Deck Open

3-Deck Closed

Front Master

Solar-electric yachting advantages

Unlimited range, noiseless cruising, zero emission, minimal maintenance, powertrains, 6o series highlights.

Kite sail system

Adding the option of a fully automatic towing kite gives the 60 Series the opportunity to make use of the wind without shading the panels. The either 9m² or 12 m² sized kite flies at heights where winds are much stronger, thus being able to create up to 10x more pulling power compared to a conventional sail.

Self-sufficient lifestyle

Designed from the ground up to be fully autonomous. By being able to produce your own energy and water while making use of coolable food supplies for storage as well as a worldwide internet connection, you have the possibility of creating a fully self-sufficient lifestyle on board.

Bridgedeck storage

Under the bridge deck, there are two spacious storage boxes for SUPs, surfboards, small RIBs or compact sailboats. Both of them can be accessed either from the aft cockpit deck or directly from the hydraulic tender lift.

Owner's suite

Being able to design the 60 Series with an exclusive owner’s suite on the 3rd deck us unique amongst 60-foot catamarans. The suite itself is fully equipped with an en-suite bathroom and measures 23 m² in size. It also gives direct access to the 36 m² lounge area in the aft.

If you would like to enquire about this electric yacht and get in touch with a member of our team, please click on the button below.

Other models

120 Explorer

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Review: Silent 55, the extraordinary solar powered yacht

• January 18, 2019

Silent Yachts is tapping into the solar zeitgeist and creating a new meaning for the term ‘powercat’.  Sam Fortescue reports

There is a slow, silent revolution under way in the yachting world. It is a revolution that is introducing tonnes of lithium and a sprinkling of silicon to the spec list of new boats. Holding out the promise of silent mobility, plus limitless domestic power on board, it made a big splash at the last Cannes Festival of Yachting – not least thanks to the new Silent 55 catamaran which debuted there.

From the pontoon side, the Silent 55 looks like a typical modern catamaran, with a big coachroof studded with windows and a flybridge helm. Except there’s no mast. Now, bear with me here. I realise that this is a sailing magazine, but we will shortly get back to more familiar territory. The unique qualities of this catamaran only become apparent from up top, where an expanse of solar panels stretches away fore and aft, embedded into the coachroof. The hard top itself carries yet more panels, and can be folded down flush to give an unshaded solar array of 49m2. During the heat of a summer day in the Med, this is capable of generating 10kW of power and up to around 60kWh in the course of the day.

But to make a solar system work in reality, Köhler had to go back to the drawing board on yacht design. The saloon and hulls have extra thermal insulation to keep air-con losses down, and the use of carbon and aramid in key areas helps reduce the overall weight to a decent 17 tonnes (a Lagoon 52 weighs 22.5 tonnes). He has tried to keep windows out of the direct sun with long overhangs and in contrast to the Lagoon’s 12 deck hatches, the Silent 55 has just two.

Holistic design

On the other hand, it has lots of opening windows, to allow a natural draught to do its job. “It’s a holistic approach – you can’t take the batteries and the drivetrain and drop it into another boat.”

Of course, using the propulsion system quickly takes its toll of the boat’s 140kW battery bank. The model on display at Cannes had two 135kW motors, giving you just half an hour of silent motoring flat-out, albeit at a top speed of over 20 knots. More reasonable 30kW engines and a single-digit speed give you greater range. Nonetheless, the electric drive alone isn’t going to allow you to outrun a storm, or race home after a day at anchor, so the boat is designed to work with a generator hidden in the heavily insulated transom of its starboard hull. At cruising speed of around 5-6 knots, Köhler says there is rarely any need to use the generator, citing an owner who has just emailed him triumphantly about a second year totally generator-free. “In the end, you have to compare it to the performance of a sailing boat,” Köhler says. “It is as fast as a sailing boat in similar conditions – after all, there is no wind without sun.” He went so far as to tell me during the sea trial in Palma, Mallorca, that he believed the majority of sailors would happily dispense with the hassle of sails and a rig if only they could enjoy silent motoring and anchoring. “As soon as people realise the incredible concept of this boat, they won’t understand why they ever did anything else.”

The market does not seem to agree with him – yet. Sales of the boat have been good – they have already sold six, five of which are already in the water. But of those, four customers have taken the sail option, which means planting a 19.7m tall mast complete with boom and rigging slap bang in the middle of the coachroof solar array. “I was a bit amazed,” Köhler admits. “The shade from the rig reduces the energy generated by the solar area, while it costs more and is heavier, so consumes more fuel. Maybe it is for optical reasons.” In fact, the shade of the rig slashes the average yield of the solar panels in half. In the Med, that means around 30kWh per day. But perhaps it figures. The typical profile of buyers is an environmentalist who has a Tesla electric car and is “an early adopter who likes to have things before others”. And at low speeds, with modest use of the air-con, the reduced energy generation should still cover daily consumption.

The performance under sail should be reasonable because of the lightweight build of the boat, its broad 8.47m beam and stub keels added to each hull. Control lines are led back via conduits in the coachroof to the flybridge helm station, to make single-handing under sail a possibility.

More interesting, I think, is a sort of halfway-house option using a kite rig. This optimises the performance of the solar panels and gives plenty of propulsion. On the smaller 55 and the 64, Silent Yachts currently recommends a 19m2 kite that costs around €25,000 – a fraction of the cost of a new mast, boom, shrouds and sails. “The sail automatically makes a figure of eight above the boat, and you can steer it with a joystick or an app on an android phone,” Köhler explains. “It can propel the 55 at up to 6 knots, even in light winds.” Perfect for an Atlantic crossing, then.

For the bigger Silent 79, which will hit the water in the summer, a commercial grade Sky Sail system needs to be used – a smaller version of the ones used on cargo ships. This kite can propel the boat at ten knots, but it costs more than ten times as much as its smaller cousin. Both are capable of pulling the boat upwind. So far, so new. But outside the novel energy and propulsion system, the Silent 55 aims to do what many other cruising catamarans are trying to achieve. “Most of our clients order for circumnavigation and long-term cruising,” Köhler says. So the boat is aimed to be as comfortable and capable as possible with watermakers, TVs and an induction hob that all capitalise on the boat’s abundant energy. A flexible configuration allows owners the choice 
of between three and six cabins – the latter designed for charter. The owner’s cabin lies forward of the saloon, under the windows of the coachroof, which provide magnificent views and abundant natural light. There’s a walk-around bed and steps down into the starboard hull give access to an en-suite shower room and heads.

In my view, the best cabin lies aft of this, accessed in the traditional manner down steps out of the saloon. The king-sized bed lies athwartships and the shower is larger than that of the master cabin. There’s more space down here, better headroom and still plenty of light courtesy of the many hull lights.

When I had the chance to sea trial the Silent 55, albeit in motorboat format, I jumped at it. It was a contrary autumn day on Mallorca with 15 knots breeze – just a shame, then, that this wasn’t one of the sailing configured versions.

To start with, getting on board is made really easy courtesy of deep boarding platforms on the skirts. She feels rather square because of that vast, glazed saloon with its deep overhang, and perhaps because of the utilitarian nature of the hard top, which is really about supporting more solar panels. Nevertheless, the side decks are broad and uncluttered. The space up top is designed to concertina down flat, hence the hydraulic rams, fold-down seat back and lowering console. It makes a great sailing position, though, with all round visibility, and is also perfect for sundowners at anchor. When the rain comes down, this feels quite exposed, but there is a fully sheltered helm at the front of the saloon, and it is also possible to drive the boat from anywhere using a tablet thanks to smart electronics. Under power, the handling is superb. The quietness of the motors is astonishing, and I gather they’ll be inaudible on the next boat, which will do away with the gearbox. Even in the aft cabins, directly above the motors, there is no more than a distant hum. The boat responds instantly to the power and the wind seemed to have no impact at all. As with any propulsion system, the power consumption jumps as you pile on the speed – it was sobering to see. At 6 knots, both motors drew 10kW but at 8 knots it was closer to 30kW. I liked the huge saloon with its raised table for 360º views. And the sliding door and window gives great access aft, connecting the saloon and cockpit in fine conditions. The finish was smart and in muted tones, feeling more Scandinavian than German.

Intriguingly, at least it seems to me, Köhler has tapped into something with the concept behind Silent Yachts – but not entirely for the reasons that he expected. Buyers are opting for the sail or kite versions of the boat because they want a comfortable wind-powered craft with abundant, quiet energy on tap. It brings a whole new meaning to the 
term ‘powercat’

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Sustainability Success

10 SOLAR Boats 2023 & 2024 | Electric Yachts & Catamarans

With more steps being taken towards sustainable development, new, eco-friendly solar boats have been introduced in the world of green travel: solar electric catamarans. 

Solar boats are electric yachts that can go for long distances without needing to stop for fuel and without emissions. Those solar catamarans are interesting eco-friendly alternatives to the classic power boat or sailing yacht for cruising. However, there are also a few disadvantages that you should know about before purchasing one!

10 Solar boats, electric yachts & catamarans

Here are the best solar boats that will delight you with a top-notch sustainable yachting experience based on your requirements:

Sunreef Yachts – Eco 80 Sail Catamaran

• Silent Yachts – Silent 80 3-Deck

HH Catamarans – HH44

Silent yachts – silent 60, sunreef 43m eco (140 ft).

• Silent 120 Explorer
• 100 Sunreef Power Eco

Azura Marine – Aquanima 40

Soel yachts – soel senses 48, serenity yachts – serenity 64 (hybrid).

Here’s a quick summary of the features of the best solar catamarans for green yachting in 2023-2024:

If you are an advocate of sustainable yachting or sustainable tourism and are looking to buy an eco-friendly boat that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels , then you would do well to consider getting a solar catamaran. In this article, I will go through the pros and cons of 10 of the best solar yachts and superyachts that you can buy in 2023 and 2024!

It is also important to note that while there are solar panels for sailboats that you can fit on older models, those new boats have been specifically designed to maximize the use of renewable energy.

Most Luxurious + Most innovative solar system

The Eco 80 Sail Catamaran is one of the electric solar boats provided by Sunreef Yachts.

It features a unique “solar skin” that covers all composite structures on the boat, including hull sides, boom, mast, bimini, and superstructure. This green tech makes it possible to place solar panels where it wouldn’t normally be possible (like the hull and any other smaller but useful surface) and provide enough solar energy from every angle.

The boat is 80-feet long (24.38 meters) and includes electric motors that push it smoothly over the water without causing any vibrations or noise.

Besides being solar powered boat, the Eco 80 Sail Catamaran can also be powered by wind and hydropower. It is designed with a sail on its structure, allowing it to tap into wind power and supplement the solar.

The solar powered sailboat generates enough green power not only to propel the boat and keep it moving but also to charge the essential electric water appliances and other water-sport toys.

So far, the Sunreef Yachts Eco solar sailboats have earned a good reputation for being eco-friendly and sustainable. Besides, this solar powered catamaran takes its commitment to the environment a notch higher by using recycled materials , natural fibers, and non-toxic paints to create their boats.

It is no wonder that Sunreef Yachts have been winning environmental awards for so many years. This solar sailboat is one of the most remarkable boats you can ever invest in and it clearly shows the latest advancements in technology .

Prices: about $8 million USD

Where to buy : Sunreef Yachts .

• Larger surface covered with solar panels, that are installed also along the hull, and in other unusual areas.
• The batteries are 30% lighter than normal
• Unlimited cruising range.
• It runs silently and does not cause pollution.
• It has also traditional sails, so it can cruise also when it is not sunny without relying on batteries.
• Luxury, superb quality and finishing
• Great helm position.
• The solar catamaran is very costly (going for $8 million USD or more).
• The solar panels installed on the sides of the catamaran may not be appealing to the eye of all people.

Silent Yachts – Silent 80 Tri-Deck Solar Catamaran

Best pure electric

The Silent 80 Tri-Deck Solar yacht is popular for the large amount of space it offers.

This solar catamaran by Silent Yachts features three large decks that can be easily customized to fit the owner’s preferences and needs. The topmost deck can either be open or enclosed.

This solar powered yacht offers 4 to 6 cabins that are customizable, regardless of whether the deck remains open or enclosed. Besides, the top deck provides additional living space and can be used as a luxury master suite that opens onto a private space outdoors.

Where to buy : Silent Yachts .

• Purely electric propulsion that can be helped by the kite sail.
• The finishing, while being of high standards, doesn’t seem to be at the level of other options in its category.
• Quite costly, with prices starting at about $6 million USD.
• If going for a long cruise during cloudy days you may need to run the generator to keep going.
• The kite sail helps to give some propulsion using wind, but it is less effective than traditional sails.
• The absence of a traditional sail may make the boat a bit less stable, compromising a bit of the comfort while cruising.

Best for world cruising

HH Catamarans is a small boutique boat builder designing some of the most impressive solar boats for cruising, with one of their latest creations being the HH44.

The HH44 is a groundbreaking new boat that is designed to be eco-friendly and efficient.

The boat has a large battery bank that can be charged by solar panels, and also has two electric motors that can be used for electric propulsion up to 7 knots for up to 2h.

The HH44 has an innovative propulsion system named Eco-Drive. This is a parallel hybrid system that combines diesel and electric propulsion for long-range motoring and silent electric propulsion.

The boat also has two diesel engines, which can be used for long-range motoring or to generate electricity. The boat is also designed to be safe, with four propulsion devices plus sails and a large solar array.

The HH44 has a number of technical features that make it a groundbreaking eco-friendly design, including:

• 3 types of propulsion: full electric, standard diesel, and sail.
• 4.2 kWh of solar panels: generating power for recharging the lithium battery bank for solar .
• 10 kW electric motors (5kW each): mounted on the back end of each diesel engine for electric propulsion.
• The diesel engines can be used both for propulsion and as electric generators.
• Possibility to use the propellers to recharge the battery while the boat is sailing. Kind of like using hydropower to charge your solar batteries , pretty cool!

The HH44 is also a performance catamaran thanks to its C-shaped §daggerboards. Daggerboards are an essential component of many sailing vessels, providing both vertical lift and increased upwind sailing performance.

This solar powered yacht features up to 4 double cabins and 2 heads . Not bad for this world-cruising vessel!

If instead, you are looking for a larger boat, HH Catamarans also have other models up to 88ft.

This solar catamaran was also the preferred choice of Gone with the Wynns , a popular cruising YouTube channel. Here’s their announcement video:

Where to buy : HH Catamarans .

• A true performance world cruiser.
• Very resilient with 3 different propulsion modes (electric, sail, and conventional engines) and ideal for offshore cruising.
• It can run silently and without causing pollution.
• More affordable than other solar catamarans, starting from $1 mm USD
• Smaller than other options.
• The improved sailing performance requires narrower hulls, which reduces the available space onboard compared to other traditional vessels of similar size

Best mid-range

The Silent 60 is one of the smaller electric boats made by Silent Yachts. It is designed to be handled by at least two people. The users can either choose to include an additional crew or not.

Despite its outward small appearance, Silent 60 is very spacious and can accommodate a good number of people.

Besides, the electric yacht has a beautiful design that adds to its elegant and luxurious feel. It is usually designed with up to 6 cabins , with each cabin offering every basic amenity you need to have a luxurious stay on the yacht. In fact, the electric solar boat is equipped with everything you need to allow you to live on board permanently!

As someone who loves spending time on the water, I was really excited to learn about the Sunreef 43M Eco: a superyacht that is both eco-friendly and luxurious.

I was especially impressed by the solar power system, which is built into the composite structures of the yacht, and the large hydraulic platform which creates a vast walkaround beach club.

The interior of the solar superyacht is just as impressive as the exterior, with a variety of sustainably-sourced materials and fabrics used throughout as well as energy-saving air-conditioning. The Sunreef 43M Eco can welcome up to 12 guests in the most luxurious conditions.

Silent Yachts – Silent 120 Explorer

Here’s another incredible solar super-yacht by Silent Yachts. The Silent 120 Explorer is a truly unique yacht, designed to explore the world in style and comfort.

Powered by solar energy, this solar catamaran is perfect for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the open seas without worrying about the impact on the environment.

With plenty of space for guests and all the amenities you need onboard, the Silent 120 Explorer is the perfect choice for your next adventure. If you’re looking for a yacht that combines luxury and environmental responsibility, the Silent 120 Explorer is a perfect choice.

The company didn’t yet release detailed information, however, this superyacht seems to be even featuring a helipad under the roof’s solar panels!

The Silent 120 Explorer has plenty of room for guests and all the amenities you need onboard. So if you’re ready to embark on your next great adventure, be sure to consider the Silent 120 Explorer, which will likely start being delivered in 2023.

The 100 Sunreef Power Eco

Sunreef recently launched and sold their first 100 Sunreef Power Eco catamaran, a transatlantic luxury craft that takes solar boat design to the next level.

With massive living space, great autonomy, and impressive features like a flybridge that can be transformed into an outdoor cinema, the 100 Sunreef Power Eco is the perfect vessel for cruising in supreme luxury

This catamaran uses the latest innovations in solar power to achieve outstanding energy efficiency, and its ultralight battery bank provides for silent cruising and infinite range.

The fully customizable interior and exterior make this catamaran a truly one-of-a-kind option, and its use of ethically-sourced and eco-responsible materials is sure to please even the most discerning buyer.

If you’re looking for an electric yacht that is both luxurious and eco-friendly, the 100 Sunreef Power Eco is certainly a great option for you if you can afford it!

The most affordable $

The Aquanima 40 catamaran is entirely powered by solar energy. It features creative adaptations and unique innovations that make it eco-friendlier and more economical boat than other solar-powered catamarans. For example, the solar panels installed on the electric catamaran are built in such a way that they can sell any excess solar energy back to shore stations when connected.

The exterior of the Aquanima 40 has an elegant design. Also, the interior is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also very clean and modern.

The boat is designed with 2 single cabins for the crew and 2 double cabins for guests.

Indeed, this solar boat by Azura Marine is one of the most economical and cost-effective options you can go for when buying a solar catamaran.

• Relatively fast.
• Ideal for short vacations.
• The most affordable solar catamaran, starting at about $0.6 million USD.
• Much smaller than other options.
• Not recommended for long cruises.
• Basic looks and layout.

As its name suggests, the Soel Senses 48 is 48 feet long. It has a slender design and is lightweight , making it more economical than most other solar-powered boats.

The boat is designed with two sleeping berths that can accommodate two people each. It also includes a salon that can offer enough sleeping space for four people. 

Compared with most other solar yachts, the Soel Senses 48 has a much smaller size. Its size, adding to its sleek and innovative design, give it faster speed than other solar-powered boats.

It incorporates 12 solar panels installed on the roof ; all these panels generate a combined electrical power of up to 2.7 kWh. The electricity generated by the solar panels is then stored in two batteries which can be easily configured to hold a maximum solar power of 142 kWh.

Like other Soel Yachts, the Soel Senses 48 glides smoothly over water without causing any noise, rattles, or generating fumes.

It has average cruising speeds of 10 knots, even reaching top speeds of up to 18 knots. However, the solar catamaran cannot run at its top speed for long periods.

Both the interior and the exterior of the Soel Senses 48 have a sleek and modern design. Every single component of the solar catamaran has been designed carefully to make it as functional and comfortable as possible. Therefore, when you board on this boat, you can expect to experience one of the best sailing experiences of your life.

The Serenity 64 Yacht features a diesel engine. It is a hybrid solar boat, which means that it can run on either solar power or on diesel.

The diesel engine especially comes in handy when the users wish to achieve faster cruising.

The solar catamaran is a very spacious electric boat and provides plenty of living space. It is built with four luxurious cabins, with each cabin having its ensuite bathroom. And even though the Serenity 64 is smaller than the Serenity 74 model also built by Serenity, it still provided an elegant feel and a smooth sailing experience.

Solar Boats Pros and Cons

The sun is a powerful and free source of energy, making solar power an attractive option for those looking to power their yacht. Solar panels can be used to generate electricity to run the yacht’s lights, appliances, and even the engine. Solar power can also be used to heat water for showers and laundry. But, what are the pros and cons of solar catamarans?

Here’s a quick summary of the solar yachts’ advantages and disadvantages:

One of the main benefits of solar power is that it is renewable and environmentally friendly. Solar panels have no emissions and do not produce pollution. In principle, they also do not require fuel, making them very cost-effective in the long run. Solar power is also very reliable, as the sun is a constant source of energy.

There are a few disadvantages to solar power. Solar panels can be expensive to install, and while they require less maintenance, this can be quite costly, especially when it will come time to replace the batteries. Solar panels also need to be pointing directly at the sun to be effective, so they may not generate power on cloudy days or at night.

But there’s more, let’s see what some sailing experts are thinking about solar catamarans!

Sailing expert’s solar Boat review

Recently, one of the most popular sailing YouTube channels, Saliling La Vagabonde , published a very honest and interesting review of the solar powered yacht Silent 55. Here’s a summary of their experience:

• 7 Days onboard (6 nights)
• Travelled 145nm with an average speed of 7 knots
• Generator used for about 12h (in total)
• Fuel consumed: 208 liters

Here are some interesting observations they made:

• While cruising it may feel less stable than a standard sailing boat because it doesn’t have a sail to stabilize it when hitting the waves.
• For the Silent 55 it was possible to move at about 3 knots by using only the power generated by the solar panels (without using the batteries) on a sunny day. This means that if you are moving the solar yacht around quite frequently, you will end up using the generator quite a lot to produce the necessary power.
• When the batteries are out of power, the Silent yacht is using a (diesel) generator to supply the necessary power to keep the boat moving and to power the appliances.
• A great luxury yacht with all the comforts and going in the right direction for the future of the sector.
• Overall, the Silent Yacht is a great eco-friendly alternative to a power boat , while if you are thinking about cruising around the world, you would be probably better off going for a standard sailboat (or for some of the hybrid alternatives mentioned in this article, like the HH44).

Why are solar yachts all catamarans?

Solar yachts are all catamarans for 2 main reasons:

• Catamarans have a larger surface, which allows for placing more solar panels and also offers more room for the batteries onboard.
• Catamarans have efficient hulls for their size. This reduces their power consumption while moving.

This makes catamarans the ideal platform to build a solar-powered boat.

Modern solar electric boats are undoubtedly an eco-friendly choice in sea travel and a form of green tourism . Not only do these electric boats provide a smooth sailing experience, but they also reduce the release of emissions into the atmosphere, reducing the environmental impact and enhancing sustainability .

Luckily, given their size, solar catamarans can charge themselves (unlike electric cars ), so they can sail indefinitely without the need to stop for refueling.

If you are environmentally conscious and looking to get a boat that is more viable, desirable, and eco-friendly, you may consider investing in one of the solar yachts discussed in this article!

• solar electric yachts
• Soel Senses 62
• Soel Senses 82
• Soel Shuttle 14
• Custom model

SOEL YACHTS

Solar electric yachts.

With dedication and passion for high tech, sustainability and excellent design, Soel Yachts creates solar electric yachts that promise high efficiency, low emissions, outstanding comfort, low maintenance, and significantly reduced costs of ownership. We are driven by an unwavering commitment to accelerate the transition to sustainable and autonomous mobility on the water.

ENJOY THE RICHNESS OF THE SEA

Our solar electric catamarans combine all the elements for a luxurious and environmentally conscious aquatic lifestyle. With zero CO2 or noise emissions on board, you can reconnect with your senses and fully enjoy the journey.

electric models

The Soel Yachts portfolio offers solar electric catamarans for both private and commercial applications. With the vast experience gathered trough different projects worldwide and boats successfully performing on a daily basis for many years, we gladly can discuss individual requirements and find the ideal solution for your preferred electric yacht and destination

PIONEERS SINCE 2007

Bringing over 15 years of extensive expertise in electrifying solar electric yachts since 2007, we have been pioneers in the solar yachts industry. Our integral solar electric systems in-house have impressively powered more than 27 circumnavigations of the Earth across the world’s oceans, offering unmatched real-world testing and performance validation for an extraordinary and worry-free sailing experience.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

At our core, we strive for the perfect balance between cutting-edge technology, purposeful design, and outstanding performance. Our innovative approach combines streamlined hull designs for electric propulsion, engineered in conjunction with our in-house systems, to ensure an exceptional range.

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The boat of tomorrow

Imagine an eco-friendly boat that blends into its environment without causing distruption or harm, while also offering a remarkably luxurious and relaxing experience. Fountaine Pajot have designed and built this very boat, transforming this dream into reality.

Fountaine Pajot, pioneers in eco-sailing

With a desire to always remain a pioneer in its field, the Fountaine Pajot Group began thinking about energy transition in the cruising industry in 2011 with the Eco Cruising concept, aiming to integrate as many renewable energy sources as possible on board cruising boats , especially through the use of a hydro-generation system. Since then, with the construction and launch of the first hybrid electric cruising catamaran , the Aura 51 SMART Electric, and the design and construction of the world’s first hydrogen-powered sailing catamaran , the Samana 59 Smart Electric REXH2 prototype, the Fountaine Pajot Group has become a leader in the green yachting industry.

Aura 51 Smart Electric, the new eco-friendly catamaran

Smart Electric, an adaptable system

A viable and effective solution based on the Aura 51 production series, the Smart Electric system, designed by Fountaine Pajot, is designed to be installed on every boat in its catamaran sailboat range. By 2025, 50% of Fountaine Pajot catamarans will be fully electric and 100% will be fitted with solar panels . By 2030, the Group aims to make 100% of its fleet electric and to phase out diesel engines.

Boats for a brighter future

Samana 59 Smart Electric REXH2 – The world’s first hydrogen-powered catamaran

The Samana 59 Smart Electric RexH2 features a revolutionary energy design comprising a REXH2 capable of delivering up to 70 kW of continuous power, a 63 kwh LiFePO4-EVEPOWER (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cell battery and 42 m2 of solar panels capable of delivering up to 6000 Wc. This energy mix means we can take advantage of all the renewable energies onboard the catamaran (solar, wind, and hydrogen). In port, the crew can fill up with hydrogen and recharge its batteries if necessary. All the technologies are managed by the Smart Cruising solution, an automated Power Management System for simple, intuitive control of this cutting-edge technology.

Aura 51 Smart Electric

Pioneering the Smart Electric system, the Aura 51 sets the course we are heading, as we will be integrating the system across the entire Fountaine Pajot range in the near future. The Fountaine Pajot design office, in collaboration with architects Olivier Racoupeau Design, has designed the Aura 51 Smart Electric to accommodate a large surface area of solar panels without affecting her appearance. Her large, user-friendly flybridge is fitted with 15.55 m2 of solar panels fully integrated into the catamaran’s line , capable of delivering 2000 Wc of energy to power two battery banks supplying up to 32 kwh each. An additional option produces 1.5 kw of energy by a hydro-generation system using the propulsion propellers’ reverse rotation when under sail.

The Dufour “Unicorn” Project

The first monohull yacht to be built using recycled, recyclable composite, this Dufour prototype is designed to prove the effectiveness of new, low-impact construction materials. The aim is manifold:

• To raise awareness of the lifecycle of boats and new ways of using them
• To encourage the recycling of materials at the end of a boat’s life
• To design the yachting monohull of the future, both inside and out, to respond to tomorrow’s expectations and lifestyles .

The ultimate aim is to deconstruct this eco-friendly yacht 100% in order to test its entire life cycle .

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Electric Catamarans

The use of space-grade materials and technologies, along with catamarans’ superior stability and speed, have made them increasingly popular over the last few decades. A maximum surface area for the solar panels, comfort onboard and remarkable autonomy make an electric catamaran an ideal boat for coastal cruises with friends and family as well as for commercial eco-tours and far offshore explorations.

More Space, Pleasure and Autonomy

The twin-hull design of a catamaran offers an unparalleled level of comfort for the owner and their guests. The increased living space and higher headroom inside create the feeling of being on a luxury cruise, while the bridge allows for a spacious helm and leisure area. An expanded deck surface allows for installing an oversized solar panel, providing a higher power-to-displacement ratio. Having a larger solar roof translates into an almost infinite range and higher cruising speed.

Cost-Effective and Low Maintenance

With no reliance on fossil fuels, electric catamarans sail at zero fuel cost per mile. Having almost infinite autonomy provided by oversized solar panels and high-capacity battery banks, solar-powered cats deliver a continuous infinite range. Using electric motors instead of fossil fuel engines reduces the cost of maintenance by more than 80%. The absence of fuel tanks, filters and pumps, exhaust, transmission, oil and ignition and hundreds of other components present in explosion-based engines makes electric catamarans so much cheaper to maintain and keep in good shape.

Silent, Stable and Sustainable

Cruising along the waves or staying at anchor in full silence, undisturbed by the sounds of an engine or a generator, makes electric catamarans so desirable to owners and their guests. The stability provided by the dual-hull design adds to the comfort and safety onboard, allowing for full immersion in the environment. No exhaust, CO2, oil spill or sounds make electric catamarans ideal for eco-tourism in pristine waters. With no distractions while onboard, the journey becomes the destination.

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The Best Solar Powered Catamarans (2023 UPDATE)

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Catamarans are incredible boats, and making one solar-powered really makes my little engineering brain go wild. In this article, I discuss some of the coolest solar-powered catamarans out there!

Here are three of the best solar-powered catamarans:

• Sunreef’s 80 Sunreef Power Eco Yacht
• Silent Yachts’ Silent 80
• Soel’s Senses 48

There are soo many variables that it’s tough to say one is better than the others. No matter which you board, you’re going to have a luxury experience. The benefit of these solar cats is that the experience can be had while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle and contributing to the betterment of the environment.

The diesel engine is dead, Long live electric power. Sort of…

Table of Contents

Solar Catamarans: Luxury Yachts

Before we look at each of these, let’s take a few paragraphs to talk about catamarans in general. First of all, when many people think of cats, they think of a relatively small craft barrelling across the water, one of its hulls in the air with a swashbuckling daredevil hanging off the side of it high above the water.

That’s not the kind of catamaran we’re talking about here. We are, instead, looking at yachts or cruising catamarans. These share one commonality with the other type of cat, and that’s the twin hulls. But that’s it. Cruising cats are slower, more stately boats. Also, on one of those little, quick ones, there’s not room for much of anything, and you won’t likely be doing any cooking or sleeping on it.

We’re also looking solely at solar-powered catamarans here, and although they have much in common with their diesel-drinking brethren, there are some key differences, which we’ll also address.

Perhaps the main difference (and one of the most significant selling points for a solar-powered catamaran) is the noise level. Gabo

Anyone who’s been on any boat with a combustion engine (diesel or petrol) on board has had to deal with the noise and smell.

But the drone (or roar, depending on the engine’s size and location) can be far from relaxing, which is one of the main reasons to get on a boat, off the mainland, and out to sea. Even if you’re marlin fishing—not the most peaceful undertaking man has ever attempted—you’re still out on the water and hope for some peace and quiet.

Eliminating that engine noise is a pretty big deal.

How Solar Catamarans Work

The biggest key to the success of the solar-powered yacht is not the solar panels – although those are great, as they look terrific and are well integrated into the ships. But the unsung hero here is the battery system.

Solar energy companies continue to perfect their industry. By making their solar batteries denser and denser, they create batteries that can store more solar power for more extended periods in smaller spaces.

And that brings us to an aspect you probably haven’t thought of:

Solar-powered yachts have more interior room because the battery system takes up less space than a conventional engine would.

Space customarily used by an engine room gets freed up for other uses.

Since most solar catamarans are nearly infinitely customizable, it’s hard to say what you might use that extra space for, but it’s available because of the solar power system.

The yachts have solar cells in all sorts of places, most notably on the roofs of the boats, but some companies build them in over large swaths of the hull, so they look as much like a design choice as a power source.

3 Best Solar-Powered Catamarans

Let’s be honest—if you’re dropping more than a couple of million dollars on a boat, two things are likely true: you have a lot of money, and you like nice things. All of the yachts listed here are lovely things, so it’s going to be hard to go wrong. 

As a result (and since these aren’t exactly accessible for test drives), it’s difficult to say which one of these is actually the best ; ergo, this list is in no particular order. They’re all glorious specimens.

Incidentally, where the price is listed, that number is an extremely general estimate. As these vessels are all entirely customizable and each choice below is available in different lengths and configurations, the cost can vary wildly.

To better understand what is a good price of a solar-powered cat, they should be compared to performance cruising catamarans or larger catamarans for families .

80 Sunreef Power Eco Yacht

This may be the most remarkable boat you’ll see for a long time. Sunreef has been in the yacht-building business since the turn of the millennium, winning awards along the way, and in the last few years, the company began work on its Eco line.

While there are shorter (and one longer) versions of this ship, the 80-footer (24.38 m) is pretty iconic. It offers electric motors to push it over the water and to do so with little noise, vibrations, and zero smell of fuel or exhaust.

As mentioned earlier, this is the yacht with solar cells pretty much all over it. They dot the sides of the hull and add to the overall look of the ship. With these cells and the panels on the roof, this yacht carries 200 square meters (2152 sq ft) of solar cells generating up to 40kWp (that’s 40 kilowatts peak, meaning under the best conditions, like on a bright, sunny day). Sunreef makes cats that run under sail, as well.

• Unlimited cruising
• No emissions
• Silent running
• Solar panels on the sides of the boat may not appeal to everyone
• Price: $8 million USD and up (new)

Silent Yachts has several versions of each of its catamarans. This eighty-footer (24m) is available in a loft or a classic version, but you get large spaces and incredible luxury no matter what you choose. The bathrooms alone on these things are pretty enough to live in.

Like Sunreef, Silent Yachts offers various lengths of these yachts, but they refer to the 80 as their flagship, and with good reason. Also with good reason, this yacht has been called “the Tesla of the seas.”

Three power options exist, each allowing higher maximum speeds for longer periods on the water than the last, but all three offer cruising speeds of up to 8 knots.

Its rooftop solar panels generate 26kWp of power . While that’s a significant step down from the comparable Sunreef vessel, the company claims unlimited range. Theoretically, it makes sense—solar power is even easier to come by on the open sea than on land, and with an endless supply, you ought to be able to cruise forever (as long as the sun shines).

All that power gets stored in batteries, and when it’s time to use it, the boat does so silently through its electric motors, on which Silent Yachts gives a lifetime warranty. While that warranty wouldn’t give you much peace of mind if you were on the float hoping for rescue, once you got it back home, whatever the problem was would get fixed, and you’d be ready to go out again.

Like any electric motor propulsion system, the Silent 80’s requires almost zero maintenance. Compare that to the ongoing work you do on your big, loud, smelly diesel engine. Not having to change the oil alone seems worth the investment.

• Recommended maintenance schedule happens after the end of most yachts’ lifespans, meaning you may not ever have to do any maintenance at all on this one.
• Kite available for additional propulsion (up to ten times more efficient than a sail)
• Its five-and-a-half-foot draft is pretty deep.
• Smaller kWp capacity than comparable makes.
• Price: $4.6 million and up (new).

Soel Senses 48

This is a smaller yacht (a little more than half the size) than the first two. However, Soel has built a beautiful boat that is entirely sustainably powered. The 12 solar panels on the roof generate 2.7 kWp of electricity stored in two batteries that can be configured to hold up to 142 kWh of stored solar power.

This, like the others, makes for a boat that glides over the water without rattles, without fumes, without noise. Unlike the others, its cruising speed tops out at 10 knots —faster due to its smaller size. Its top speed runs at 18 knots, but with significantly less kWp on board, the ship won’t run at that top speed for extended periods.

The company lists the ship’s range at between 30 and 56 nautical miles (55 – 103 km) , and the fluctuation will come from various options and choices available in operational modes.

• The boat’s 2.3-foot (70.10 cm) draft is shallower than the larger boats here.
• Orders of magnitude more affordable.
• This is a smaller boat and won’t comfortably sleep much more than 10.
• Limited range means this is a weekend cruiser, not a circumnavigator.
• Price: $600,000 and up (new).

Other Choices

These next couple of catamarans are newer and smaller, but they bear mentioning for various reasons, which we’ll be sure to point out with each one. Again, at a certain point, a yacht is a yacht, and if you can fit your friends and family on it for a fun trip, everything else is just gravy.

Smaller than Silent Yacht’s Silent 80, this one is a product not only of Silent Yacht but one made in conjunction with Volkwagen and Cupra, a Spanish car company.

Volkswagen has become a significant player in the electric motor game, so the company brings its Modular Electric Drive (MED) to this vessel, allowing for an even more efficient electric propulsion system than the one on the Silent 80. 

Cupra’s presence in the project seems to be solely on the design side of things. The Silent 50 is a vessel built with an eye toward a world in which water travel creates zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Aquanima 40

Azura Marine , based in Singapore, recently announced a solar-powered yacht whose biggest feature may have been its six-figure cost. According to Azura Marine, the ship can cruise indefinitely with a 10 kW solar power system and a 60 kWh battery pack. That is a smaller battery pack than the others, but it’s also a smaller craft.

This cat is a terrific combination of price and features.

Choosing the Best Solar Catamaran for You

This will be a personal choice and one you’ll want to do a lot of research on (which is presumably why you landed on this page in the first place). Since solar-powered catamarans sell for sums of money with at least seven digits in them, this will not be an impulse purchase for very many people.

Any of the choices listed here will be well-built, beautiful, luxurious places to lay your head or sip your mimosas while you’re on the water. It may come down to aesthetics, range, or speed, but all of these models offer incredible specimens that everyone—landlubber or old salt—will treasure.

The luxury yacht world is an exclusive one, but it doesn’t have to be wasteful or ecologically irresponsible. The yachts listed here are some of the best in the world in terms of combining luxury with solar power and providing emissions-free yachting that’s quiet and relaxing.

New yachts can be purchased from the manufacturers, allowing for customization, and various online yacht brokers are willing to help you find a pre-owned craft that’s right for you.

Finding the right yacht for you will depend on your wants and needs, but we can all agree that environmentally sound, sustainable power on these vessels is valuable.

• Electrek: This $500,000 electric yacht can cross oceans on just battery and solar power
• Forbes: Volkswagen Unveils 50-Foot Solar-Powered Catamaran In Partnership With Silent-Yachts
• Kite Boat Systems: Kite controller for sailing boats
• Plugboats: New 48′ solar electric catamaran from Soel Yachts
• Robb Report: Solar-Powered Yachts Are Taking Over. Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing.
• Silent Yachts: Silent 80
• Soel: Soel Senses 48
• Sunreef: 80 Sunreef Power Eco

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Silent yachts are the industry leader in ocean-going production yachts that are completely solar sustainable and powered by solar energy. seaworthy, luxurious, and built to impeccable standards, silent yachts are already desirable without its solar capabilities. with the abundance of solar panels on board each boat, every silent yachts model is able to cruise for 100 nautical miles in complete silence. even while at anchor, the solar-powered generators keep the yacht powered quietly for an unprecedented boating experience. enjoy all the benefits of a power catamaran with the addition of solar energy..

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Silent Yachts offer an environmentally conscious choice when it comes to owning a yacht. Silent Yachts currently offers three solar-powered power catamaran models including the Silent 55, Silent 64, and Silent 80. United Yacht Sales is proud to be the U.S. distributor for Silent Yachts and can assist you in your search for the world's first solar-powered yacht. For more information, please contact United Yacht broker Darren Sell at (561) 351-7333 or by email at [email protected] . 

Where are Silent Yachts built?

Silent Yachts are built through two different shipyards depending on the model. The Silent 55 is built at the world-class shipyard of Mazarin German Yachts which also has a production site located in China. For over 70 years, Mazarin has been a leader in quality yacht construction with over 400 yachts delivered. Mazarin are experts in innovative construction processes that are able to produce light weight yachts.

The Silent 64 and Silent 80 are produced at the Italian-based shipyard Consorzio Navale which is a prestigous consoritum of builders and sub-contractors in the industry. The group has serviced many of the major Italian yacht brands such as Ferretti Yachts and Riva Yachts . Additionally, the Silent Yachts 80 features styling and design by Marco Casali and naval architecture by Insenaval.

Are Silent Yachts really completely solar-powered?

The short answer is yes. Owners can choose to go 100% solar-powered or install diesel engines should higher speeds want to be achieved over longer distances. Silent Yachts can cruise up to 100 miles per day by power acquired through its solar panels. Every day the solar panels are able to generate more power than the total consumption needed for propulsion at cruising speeds plus powering all of the appliances on board. 

How does the solar power work? 

The Silent Yachts power system feeds the electric propulsion of the power cat and all of the energy it needs to run the A/C, refrigerators, and other household appliances. Light-weight lithium batteries provide an ample amount of energy for everything on board. The lithium batteries used in Silent Yachts are the most expensive ones on the market, but also the most reliable, safe, and have the longest life span.

Solar panels are integrated to the roof of the flybridge hardtop sections instead of just being bolted on top, resulting in no wind load or resistance againest them. Below is a video explaining how the system functions and operates back when Silent Yachts were originally called "Solar Wave":

Who is the team behind Silent Yachts?

Heike and Michael Kohler have sent almost their entire lives on a boat. After more than two decades of using various boats, cruisers, and sailboats on multiple oceans, they became dedicated to finding a better energy source for the propulsion of yachts. Between the years of 2005 and 2009, Heike and Michael tested a number of a multitude of various alternative energy sources. In 2009, SolarWave 46 was launched as a proof of concept for their design. While there are many boats and yachts built that use solar power in some fashion, the Solarwave 46 was the first ocean-going yacht to use solar energy to power everything on board from engines to appliances.

What else is different about how Silent Yachts are built?

Certainly the solar-powered engines and generators are the distinguishing characteristic, but there are a lot of other features that make each Silent Yacht unique. For example, the molds were created using a CNC-milling machine that is able to contruct particular shapes for an optimized design. The materials used in the hull include a carbon compositie that is then resin-infused for a light-weight, but very strong platform. Every hull is fully insulated and the long-term durability is exceptional thanks to the high-quality resin used in the infusion process.

What propulsion systems are recommended by Silent Yachts?

Silent Yachts recommends the 2 x 135 engines as the best solution. If the owner is making frequest trips from Point A to B (Say Miami to the Bahamas for example) the faster hybrid is recommended. The main differentiator here is cruising speed. If the owner is living on the yacht for an extended period of time, rarely pushes the engines to top speeds, and stays below 12 knots, then the E-Power is recommended.

When the generator is running, does the 100Kw go to charging the batteries (which run the 250 Kw e-Motors) or directly to the e-Motors?

All of the enery consumers and producers are connected to the bus bar. If there happens to be more power produced than consumed, the excess power goes to re-charge the batteries. If for some reason more power is required than what is produced, the needed power comes from the lithium batteries.

What is the sustained speed if both 100 Kw generators are running?

This answer really depends upon sea condition and the weight of the boat (for example components, additional equipment, water toys, etc.). The sustained speed on average though is between 12 and 14 knots, 10 knots with one generator running. It is possible to cruise at 10 knots without a generator running when using the Solar E-Power.

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We’re on our way And while the family is relaxing on the German island of Norderney or Juist, their electric vehicle is chilling at the charging station.

• The company
• Empowering the All Electric Society
• We’re on our way

Brief summary

That sounds good, especially for the storm-hardened region of Lower Saxony: the largest electric vehicle charging park in the country has now been connected to the grid in the village of Norddeich. There are 264 charging points. At present, it is said to be the largest charging facility in the world. Ferry operator Frisia has spent 5.2 million euros on sustainable investment in climate protection and the mobility revolution.

Sascha Gliese, General Manager of Pramux and Timo Konieczny of Phoenix Contact at one of the charging stations in the Frisia ferry operator’s solar charging park

Vacation vibes, even at the charging station

From the point of view of charging technology and, above all, sector coupling, it is not just the charging park’s size that makes it special. What is more exciting is that cars can be topped up with energy over a long period of time. While the e-mobility industry usually discusses how vehicles can recharge their batteries as quickly as possible, the vehicles in Norddeich chill for days under the protective sloped roof of the charging station.

“This is real low power charging”, notes Sascha Gliese, General Manager of Pramux GmbH, with pride. The company based in Moormerland in the Leer District was awarded the contract to construct the charging park. Pramux has decades of experience in the design, electrical engineering, and above all application development of software for ticket and pay machines, power columns, charging stations, and barriers.

Intelligent charging management ensures that the electric vehicle is charged as soon as the vacationers return from the island

Ready to drive in time with gentle low power charging

Low power charging: The relaxed North German approach to low power charging is possible because the booking system, also developed by Pramux, knows how long vacationers’ vehicles will remain at the charging station. Consequently, there is also information about which guest is going to leave next – and expects to have a fully charged vehicle ready and waiting for them.

These pilot control options can be used to create an effective charging management system. Ideally, this will balance the supply of solar power with the energy requirements of the vehicles. The charging management system – i.e. the interface between the photovoltaic system and the vehicle – uses e-mobility technology from Phoenix Contact.

CHARX charging controllers from Phoenix Contact handle the charging process in the Frisia charging park

Four Charx type Phoenix Contact charging controllers are installed per station. They are linked via the internal Ethernet bus as a primary/secondary configuration. The primary controller is the interface for the charging park controller and the booking system.

The individual charge controllers in turn take over communication with the car “and negotiate how charging should be performed with what current and what power”, explains Timo Konieczny, Sales Engineer at Phoenix Contact. Data exchange between the vehicle and charging station takes place via the international communication standard OCPP – the Open Charge Point Protocol.

Solar power: As much as possible goes directly into the batteries

The charging management system is basically designed to charge vehicles primarily using the available solar power – without drawing significant power from the public grid. Nevertheless, for redundancy and security of supply, the charging park is connected to the 20 kV medium-voltage grid via a 2.4 MW transformer station.

However, Sascha Gliese expects that the volume of electricity purchased from the public grid will be kept to a minimum, since around 80 percent of the solar power should find its way into vehicle batteries. With an output of 1.7 MWp, the PV surface on the sloped roofs is generously dimensioned. The forecast annual yield is expected to supply 1.6 million kWh of green electricity.

Ferry operator Frisia considers the forecasts for the expected energy quantities per charging process to be robust, as the company has already gained experience with a good 20 charging stations over a period of two years. “We used 60 kWh as the basis for the charging park design”. says Sascha Gliese.

Olaf Weddermann of Frisia relies on the triad of sustainability, digitalization, and mobility

The all-in parking spaces on the pier

Visitors who want to charge their car on the North Sea coast near Norderney and Juist don’t need to worry about an expensive bill for full charging at the end of their vacation or excessive kilowatt hour costs eating into their vacation budget after the fact. “We don’t sell any electricity”, explains Frisia board member Olaf Weddermann. He then describes what is meant by “flat rate charging”. For practical processing, from the point of view of vacationers, this means that the energy quantity is “all in” when booking the parking space. “Our business model is to rent out the parking space. That’s why we don’t need to worry about whether the charging stations are calibrated or not”.

Anyone who has the opportunity to talk to Olaf Weddermann regarding climate protection, sector coupling, and new approaches in mobility will learn that the company is far from being a “service station operator”. Rather, all measures for effective sector coupling are aimed at sustainably strengthening the entire value chain for tourism. The “Frisonaut” booking and tourism portal is a central element in this concept. The digital solution provides a comprehensive interface to the digital needs of island visitors – especially with regard to the purchase of ferry and bus tickets as well as other services, right through to booking holiday apartments. “Sustainability, digitalization, mobility – this triad underpins our business purpose”, he emphasizes. “We have to get away from fossil fuels”.

E-catamaran extends sector coupling

With this goal in mind, electrification in mobility is going even farther this year – and taking to the water. The Frisia board member says 2.4 million people travel to Norderney every year via the Wadden Sea. Plus, there are 360,000 people who travel to Juist. Most use the ferry, but a few take the plane: In order to balance the needs of climate protection and tourism, an e-catamaran will be put into service this year.

Olaf Weddermann notes that this twin-hulled ferry built in the Netherlands will be the first passenger ship of its kind on the German seas. When the ship docks in Norddeich, the battery units need to be charged quickly. The catamaran also draws its energy from the charging park. The cable that runs to the charging facility has already been laid. When the e-catamaran reaches the pier for ferry traffic to Norderney, the charging park management system has already taken the connected cars off the grid. The renewable energy that is freed up then flows into the ferry batteries.

“Projects such as Frisia’s new charging park are impressive testimony to the fact that climate protection and cost-effectiveness work in harmony”. This quote from Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies aptly describes the advantages of sector coupling within an All Electric Society – i.e., a society that covers 100 percent of its energy requirements from renewable sources.

“Lower Saxony is Germany’s energy hub and is therefore also setting many trends in the mobility and climate transition”. emphasized Lies at the opening of the charging park in the spring of 2024. “This is why we need to pursue a reliable policy in the transport sector in particular and continue on the path we have taken in terms of e-mobility”. In Lower Saxony in particular, such projects are expedient, because there is enough renewable energy from the sun and wind – and this is, Lies says, a real location advantage for companies in northern Germany.

Author: Thorsten Sienk

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