Solar
Fact Sheet N 6
Edition I - October 2024
Key Facts
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The installation of solar panels on board can help to reduce the use of the on-board generator and shore power or even support the propulsion or other large consumers.
Funded by the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union under grant agreement No 101096809
Funded by the Horizon Europe guarantee of the United Kingdom, under project No 10068310
Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
Catalogue of
Greening Technologies
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Solar
FACT SHEET N 6
Function of Solar Panel
PV solar modules work according to the principle of the photovoltaic effect, i.e. the conversion of sunlight into electricity. The photovoltaic cells in PV solar modules are made of silicon, a material that converts sunlight into electricity very efficiently. When sunlight hits the solar cells, an interaction takes place inside the cell between the incident sunlight and the doped semiconductor of the solar cell. Electrons are released, which flow through the circuit and generate a current. This current can then be used to power electrical devices and charge batteries. The latest generation of solar panels can convert about 22% of solar energy into electricity. The following Figure shows the basic working principle.
Regulations
Solar panels can be installed on all passenger and dry goods cargo vessels. If dry ADN goods or ADN containers are transported, solar panels on hatch covers must not be used and disconnected. If bulk ADN cargo is loaded, the panels shall be stored separately and dark to ensure that no voltage is present on the panel.
Technical Concept
On cargo vessels, solar panels can be mounted on the hatch covers. On the market there are two options available: either to retrofit existing hatch covers by mounting the panels or to install new hatch covers with integrated panels. The Figure 2 shows how the solar panels can be integrated in the on-board grid.
For coastal vessels there might be a future option with mounted panels that can easily be removed if cargo is to be transported on deck.
Each hatch cover has a connection to a collecting line. If the hatch covers need to be moved, they need to be disconnected first.
Figure 1: Working principle of a solar panel
Economics and Environmental Sustainability
Investment Costs
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One new hatch cover with solar panels costs about 12 500 €, the storage battery about 700 €/kWh. The installation is about 12 500€.
Operational Costs
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The operational cost for solar panels is mainly the interest rate for the investment, as the panels themselves don't need expensive maintenance and don't consume fuel.
Economic Drivers
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Germany: BordstromTech II programme up to 60% funding on investment.
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Netherlands: up 40% funding with EIA (Energie Investerings Aftrek) or KIA (Kleinschaligheidsaftrek).
Calculation Example
The following example shows, how much diesel can be replaced by 100m² solar panels. The kilowatt peak of the panels is 0.2 kWp/m²
Area solar panels
Approx. number of hatch covers
Approx. harvest per year per m²
Total harvest per year
Diesel consumption generator*
Diesel replaced by solar panels
100
5
149
14907
250
3.726,75
*varies a lot in practice, anywhere between 200 and 800 g/kWh
Figure 2: Integration of the solar panels in the on-board grid
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Solar
FACT SHEET N 6
Consideration before Deployment
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Lesson learnt from talking to users for Pilot Evaluation Forms: Very significant dependency on the area of operation. E.g. almost entire charging of ferry on Lake Constance by solar panels on sunny days, in contrast to that almost useless solar panels on WSV workboat that mostly operates on channels with high trees around.
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One other aspect: Additional wind / lateral forces due to solar panels on roof.
Deployment Examples
Vessel type
| Motor cargo vessel
ENI
| 02340356
Vessel Size
| 135 m × 11.45 m
Build Year
| 2024
Solar Hatch Covers
| 26
Helios
Source: HKG Shipping
Solar
FACT SHEET N 6
Argo-Anleg GmbH (DE)
FPS – Future Proof Shipping (NL)
Mercurius Shipbuilding BV (NL)
ZES – Zero Emission Services (NL)
Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (FR)
Sogestran (FR)
Koedood Diesel Service BV (NL)
CMB – Revolve Technologies Ltd. (UK)
SPB – Stichting Projecten Binnenvaart (NL)
Scandinaos AB (SE)
MARIN – Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (NL)
viadonau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-GmbH (AT)
TTS – Transport Trade Services GmbH (AT)
ZT Büro Anzböck Richard (AT)
EUFRAK – Euroconsults Berlin GmbH (DE)
CRS – Hrvatski Registar Brodova (HR)
OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (CH)
Project Coordinator
DST - Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems
Partners
Disclaimer
The content of the publication herein is the sole responsibility of the publishers and it does not necessarily represent the views expressed by the European Commission or its services. While the information contained in the document is believed to be accurate, the author(s) or any other participant in the SYNERGETICS consortium make no warranty of any kind with regard to this material including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Neither the SYNERGETICS Consortium nor any of its members, their officers, employees or agents shall be responsible or liable in negligence or otherwise howsoever in respect of any inaccuracy or omission herein.
