Rahul Somvanshi
Karmactive Team
Sunreef Yachts has unveiled Solar Skin 3.0, its latest solar technology that makes luxury boats more sustainable. This third-generation system combines high-efficiency solar cells with artificial intelligence to maximize power generation at sea.
Nicolas Lapp, Chief Technology Officer at Sunreef Yachts, explains: “The latest generation of our solar skin technology offers top efficiency—currently the highest attainable for silicon cells—marking a major milestone in marine solar innovation.”
The system addresses a key challenge for boat solar panels – constantly shifting shadows from sails, masts, and boat structures. Unlike home solar installations that face predictable conditions, boats operate in changing environments.
Solar Skin 3.0 makes each panel work as an independent “smart unit” that adjusts power output when shadows fall across parts of the panel. This maintains efficiency even in less-than-ideal conditions.
The technology learns from real data collected from Sunreef boats sailing in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Dubai. AI analyzes this information to optimize panel placement and adjust settings in real-time.
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Special solar cells designed for shaded areas now cover the boat’s bimini (the cockpit covering), capturing energy from previously unproductive spaces.
Built for harsh marine environments, the panels operate in temperatures above 100°C (212°F) and have survived more than 20,000 mechanical load cycles without cracking. Each panel contains an RFID chip for easier maintenance and troubleshooting.
This solar technology forms part of Sunreef’s broader “Eco” line launched in 2019. The company focuses on three areas: improved boat design for less water resistance, better energy generation through solar, and more efficient energy storage.
Sunreef’s custom lithium-ion batteries for Eco boats weigh about 30% less than typical marine batteries, improving overall efficiency. These batteries maintain 80% of their original capacity after 10 years.
The company’s sustainable approach has earned industry recognition. The Sunreef 60 Eco won the Sailboats category of the Gustave Trouvé Electric Boat Awards in 2021, while the Sunreef 80 Eco received the “Yacht Club de Monaco Explorer Award.”
The developments align with maritime industry pressure to reduce emissions. The International Maritime Organization aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships by at least 20% by 2030, at least 70% by 2040, and achieve net-zero emissions by around 2050.
As battery technology improves and charging infrastructure expands at marinas, electric and hybrid boats are becoming more practical for recreational boaters. Technologies developed for luxury vessels often later become available in mainstream boats as systems improve and costs decrease.
