PV-boats: design issues in the realization of PV powered boats

PV integration in boats is rarely seen, but offers clean and silent transportation while on the water. In order to research the PV realization into boat design challenges, the University of Twente and the NHL hogeschool, both in the Netherlands, started a joined research into PV integration in boats. By studying 3 cases, PV boat specifications and the key design challenges are researched. The first case, the Frisian Solar Challenge 2010, offered the possibility to gather information about 44 innovative PV powered racing boats. The Frisian Solar Challenge is a 5 day 220km race for PV powered boats. Boats need to be fast, efficient and reliable to finish the race at high positions. The second case shows the NHL hogeschool’s PV powered racing boat design and building process which attended the Frisian Solar Challenge 2010. The third case is a study in PV powered boats found worldwide. From 105 boats, specifications are collected to learn recent developments in PV powered boats. From these 3 cases follows that light weight is one of the key parameters to build a successful PV powered boat. Especially PV modules with lower weight can bring successful PV powered boat designs. Furthermore, boats equipped with monohull designs offer high efficiency with low drag. However, catamaran designs prove to be successful as well, bringing higher stability in boat designs. Mature technology is needed to sail with reliable hardware.