Solar systems for boats and sailing yachts

A report by Marc Eric Siewert

Anyone who wants to sail across the Atlantic alone in a small boat measuring only 6,50 m needs reliability (including the solar system), 100% confidence in themselves and, above all, in their equipment.

We at Absolute Sailing Team have been paying attention to this since the start of our campaign in the Classemini on a Minitransat 650 prototype. This means using high-quality (solar) products while always keeping the cost/benefit ratio (of the solar modules) in mind.

Our boat was originally fitted with SOLARA SM160M solar panels, serial numbers 191737 and 218924 (manufactured in 2005), each with a capacity of 45W. These older generation solar panels, with lower performance than panels using current production cells, still functioned perfectly.

After the first leg from Les Sables d'Olonne to Santa Cruz de La Palma, we realized that our energy management system wasn't adequate to provide enough solar power for the demands of a solo transatlantic race. The solar panels were too small to meet the energy requirements, especially for the autopilot. We therefore asked SOLARA for support with state-of-the-art solar technology.

We were sent to La Palma at short notice with two more modern and significantly more powerful panels (solar modules) of type M-Series S320P41 Marine, each with 80W.

On the second leg from Santa Cruz de La Palma to Saint Francoise on Guadeloupe, the new solar panels ensured fully charged lithium batteries during the day and only needed to be supplemented by our backup power source – a hydrogenerator – about every third night. Problem solved! Because without power, there are no assistance and safety systems, and above all, no solar-powered autopilot, and without these systems, a solo transatlantic crossing is simply impossible.

We are impressed by SOLARA's solar modules not only because of their high performance, but also because of their high-quality, durable, and very robust construction, all while maintaining a very low weight. The first-class surface coating of the solar cells and the aluminum backing plate are particularly noteworthy. "Made in Germany!" These two aspects clearly distinguish SOLARA solar modules from other panels on the market for recreational boating and especially offshore sailing.

A huge thank you to SOLARA for this quick and uncomplicated support! Without your help, the Atlantic crossing would have been a whole lot darker.

Note: The existing 45W SOLARA modules will in future generate electricity on the roof of the Absolute Sailing Team's Mercedes Sprinter!

Best regards,
Marc Eric Siewert

More information at https://www.absolutesailingteam.com/

The unique feature is the solar roof with solar modules from SOLARA. Specifically for the motor yacht Rapsody 29', rectangular aluminum profiles were mounted in a slightly curved shape along both the length and transverse hull. Eight SOLARA Power M-series solar modules (type S505M34) were then bonded to these profiles using Sikaflex. The total output of the SOLARA solar system is approximately 880 Wp.

“The testing in the summer of 2020 on the Fulda river with the commissioning of all components was extremely successful,” said co-developer M. Meister.

The shift from combustion engines to electric drives, possibly powered by solar energy, will become increasingly important for mobility in the future. The emission-free engine, meaning one without noise or exhaust fumes, combined with a solar power system, will therefore also become increasingly important for boats.

The 4,5-ton diesel-powered motor yacht was converted to an electric motor and a solar power system. A 32 kWh lithium-ion battery stores the solar energy, and the SOLARA solar array supplies the necessary power for the motor and other equipment. Additional charging is possible in port or, in an emergency, via an onboard generator.

The motor yacht Rapsody 29 is a joint project of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology, Kassel, the Competence Center for Decentralized Electrical Energy Supply Technology (KDEE) of the University of Kassel and the Volkswagen plant Kassel, Baunatal, which supplied the electric drive.

Dear Mr. Held!

Here is my promised contribution.

While searching for suitable photos, the travel bug bites again immediately. I'll write you a few lines below and attach some photos. Unfortunately, I hardly have any pictures where the solar panel really stands out. It's so compact that it could always be positioned efficiently without getting in the way. Lately, I've often just laid it on the sprayhood. I'll gladly provide photos of the new panel next season.

To achieve the highest possible yield with maximum flexibility in the future, we are already considering a Solara Power Mobil (S485M32). This could operate perfectly on the sprayhood while sailing and be ideally positioned to face the sun at anchor. With an average daily yield of 485Wh, it will likely be the shower that draws us to the marina in the future, rather than shore power.

Greetings!
Marc L.

An incredible challenge for the sailor who must summon all his strength against storms, drifting ice, loneliness and frustration.

Only materials from highly developed and refined technologies are used. This guarantees maximum safety, quality, functionality, and sustainability. High-quality SOLARA solar modules and solar technology, based on over 20 years of experience, thus make a significant contribution to achieving a new world record.

The OPEN60AAL ocean-going sailing yacht features a completely new yacht design concept. Equipped with cutting-edge solar technology from SOLARA, it guarantees a reliable power supply thanks to high-performance solar cells. A solar system built to withstand the toughest conditions.
OPEN60AAL features a completely new yacht design concept and robust and powerful solar technology from SOLARA.
The ANT ARCTIC LAB project represents the first attempt to circumnavigate the Earth nonstop, single-handed and without outside help, via both polar routes and through all five oceans of our planet, using electricity from SOLARA solar modules!

This offshore record attempt starts on July 21, 2019 and will take skipper Norbert Sedlacek Koch over more than 34.000 nautical miles, thanks to solar technology for about 7 months through the most dangerous waters of our planet, through ice, hurricanes and monster lakes.

ANT ARCTIC LAB embodies not only a unique record attempt powered by solar panels! The OPEN60AAL also represents a completely new yacht-building concept, which, thanks to the use of cutting-edge volcanic fibers, can withstand the harshest conditions, such as collisions with drifting ice. Furthermore, all materials used are fully recyclable!

Follow the entire project at www.ant-arctic-lab.com.

The solar system, equipped with eight SOLARA M-series solar modules, delivers high performance. This ensures that the batteries are charged by the solar modules with their high-performance solar cells. The solar panels are simply glued flat onto the boat deck.
The seawater-resistant SOLARA M (Marine) series solar panels are simply and permanently glued flat to the boat deck. This makes the solar panels walkable. The Teflon-like surface is non-slip and dirt-repellent.

For SOLARA Managing Director Frank Heise, the use of their own products wasn't the only argument for the cooperation; the entire recycling concept for the yacht was also a key factor. "A real argument in terms of sustainability these days," says Frank Heise.

Solara solar modules have already proven their worth many times over on yachts and racing yachts. “It’s always exciting to be part of such a challenge with solar technology from SOLARA. Here, too, it is demonstrated how our products perform under these extreme conditions,” Heise continued.

Sophisticated onboard electronics will also record the yield data of the solar system, so that we can later incorporate real-world data into our system planning.

“We wish the skipper and the yacht all the best and a successful project.”

“For 12 years we have had two Solara panels, each 100W, sailing around the world and are very satisfied.

SOLARA solar panels are perfect for our 10-year-long, and still ongoing, sailing trip around the world. The main energy input clearly comes from the solar panels. We charge the 630Ah battery bank via an MPP controller. The alternative energy yield is so good that, in addition to the usual onboard appliances, we also run the 120L cool box and, approximately every four days, the watermaker, which produces 100L of drinking water in over two hours, drawing a considerable 38A from the batteries.

Two monocrystalline Solara solar panels, each 100Wp, are mounted on either side of the railing and can be swivelled. They are equipped with two length-adjustable supports for the foot rail to ensure alignment and stability. Our initial plan was to align them for the best angle to the sun. However, in practice, we always position the panels almost horizontally, facing the sky. This is ideal when sailing, especially on the barefoot route, where the prevailing downwind conditions largely render a wind generator unusable as an energy source.

First, identify all available surfaces on your sailing yacht for mounting the M-Series. The surface should be flat; a curvature of up to 3% is acceptable. The M-Series comes in various sizes, so you're sure to find a suitable size for your yacht.

If the required space is not available on deck, a standard solar module with frame and glass surface (such as the S-series) can also be mounted at the stern, for example with a suitable bracket.