Catalogue of
Greening Technologies
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Key Facts

Funded by the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union under grant agreement No 101096809

Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

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 shows the basic working principle.

Working principle of a solar panel.

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 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.

Integration of the solar panels in the on-board grid.

Economics and Environmental Sustainability

Investment Costs

Investment Costs

Economic Drivers

Calculation Example

The following example shows, how much diesel can be replaced by 100 m² solar panels. The kilowatt peak of the panels is 0.2 kWp/m²

Area solar panels 100 m²
Approx. number of hatch covers 5 -
Approx. harvest per year per m² 149 kWh/m²
Total harvest per year 14907 kWh
Diesel consumption generator* 250 g/kWh
Diesel replaced by solar panels 3.726,75 l

*varies a lot in practice, anywhere between 200 and 800 g/kWh

Consideration before Deployment

Deployment Examples

Helios
Source: HKG Shipping
Vessel type Motor cargo vessel
ENI 02340356
Vessel Size 135.0 m × 11.45 m 
Build Year 2024
Propulsion 4 x Scania DC16 320A 544 kVA (435 kW) @ 1500 /min
Solar panels 312, support hotel load with 117 kWp through 400 V AC switchboard
Battery Capacity 109 kWh (48 Vdc) for hotel load energy storage and grid stabilisation
Blue Marlin
Source: HKG Shipping
Vessel type Motor cargo vessel
ENI 02340620
Vessel Size 86.0 m × 9.5 m 
Build Year 2024
Propulsion 500 kW main thrusters + 300 kW bow thrusters
Solar panels support hotel load and main propulsion with 51 kWp through 400 V AC switchboard combiner cabinet
Battery Capacity 120 kWh (624 Vdc)

Project Coordinator

DST - Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems

Partners

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)

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)

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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.