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The future of coastal
water boating is solar
electric
Launch Of The Soelcat 12 In New Zealand
Looking at the global trends and developments
towards clean and environment friendly innovations,
alternatives like solar electric propelled vessels could
have the biggest growth potential in the near future!
Although there seems to be enough awareness for
electric alternatives in the automotive industry, the
market of electric propelled vessels seems very much
in its infancy. The lack of real working alternatives
for saltwater operations might have been the main
reason why cities like Sydney, so far, have refrained
from changing towards solar electric boats and ferries.
For islands like Fiji, where boat transportation is the
largest energy consumer with 58% compared to cars,
buses and airplanes, sustainable alternatives on the
water could have an enormous impact in the future.
(Becken 2004)
A Sustainable Solution Born In New Zealand
The Dutch company Soel Yachts is determined to
change the boating industry by addressing sustainable
sea transportation. Together with their partner Naval
DC, Soel Yachts puts their 11 years of solar electric
naval architecture experience into the SoelCat 12, a
fully sustainable vessel proven for saltwater operations.
This week the solar electric 16-person catamaran, built
in New Zealand, will be launched in Auckland. Energy
autonomous and ready for all water taxi services,
dive operations and reef excursions, “the SoelCat 12
reduces all disturbing sound and CO2 emissions in our
harbours, lagoons and oceans”, proudly emphasises
Joep Koster, co-founder of Soel Yachts.
Smart Integration For Higher Performances
Soel Yachts believes that a solar electric boat needs
to be an equally workable solution, addressing
efficiency and performance. The SoelCat 12
therefore fits its purpose, or better said: it is designed
for it in every single aspect. From the highly efficient
hull lines to the matched and turnkey integrated solar
electric propulsion system. It is basically the same
approach Tesla is using for its cars: “one cannot
just take any existing hull shape, add an electric
motor and hope that it achieves a range of 150nm.”
David Czap, the system integrator explains: “efficient
electric propulsion requires an entirely different
approach from nowadays technologies and practices.
66 l New-Tech Magazine Europe