Since humans harvested solar energy in the 1880s, we’ve created more inventions than we ever thought possible. From high-tech solar panels to electric-powered vehicles: what’s next for the world of renewables? If you guessed solar-powered boats, you might be right.
But they aren’t a new invention. The first solar boat was actually launched 50 years ago, in 1975. Named ‘The Solar Craft 1’, this boat was manufactured using basic solar panels set up on canoe-like hulls. As you might expect, there were a number of issues.
The ship’s design wasn’t sea-worthy, and a lack of public faith in solar-powered boats meant that development stopped until the 1990s. It was during this time that the race to create the best solar boat really began!
The history of the solar-powered boat
In 1994, Swiss company MW-Line built the Solifleur, an eco-friendly solar boat that was reportedly still operational in 2013. While no technical details are available in 2024, its lengthy lifespan clearly indicates how far technology has progressed since the 1970s.
Interestingly, the few records we do have suggested the boat annually generated more energy than it used, feeding this excess to the grid. The 1990s also saw the popularisation of solar boat races across Europe, with some reaching top speeds of 13 knots (15.5mph).
These contests are still big today, with the annual Monaco Energy Boat Challenge set to take place in the summer of 2025.
Solar-powered boats can be found worldwide, sailing through the Ecuadorean Amazon, helping coastal communities in the Philippines and ferrying commuters across India’s Vaikkom-Thavanakkadavu route. But how do they work?
How do solar-powered boats work?
Solar-powered boats work by converting sunlight into electricity, which propels the vessel. The process begins with the installation of solar panels on the boat’s hull. Typically, these panels are flexible and can curve to the contours of the hull.
The electricity is then stored in onboard batteries and used as a power supply for the boat’s electric motor. Boats of this design are currently sailing across the Thames, courtesy of UK-based companies in London.
Why does shipping need to cut emissions?
Our need for more sustainable shipping solutions comes down to greenhouse gas emissions: the shipping industry accounts for approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions.
In the UK alone, domestic shipping burned through 7 million tonnes of fossil marine fuels in 2021, producing 26.3 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent – nearly 20% of all UK transport greenhouse gas emissions!
These emissions have negative implications for our environment and public health. Air pollutants from ships, such as sulphur oxides (SOₓ) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), are responsible for a decline in air quality (and, as a result, a rise in respiratory problems).
It’s clear that the fast development of solar-powered boats has never been more essential.
How is shipping decarbonisation progressing?
So, where are we up to?
Globally, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aiming for at least a 50% reduction by 2050 (compared to 2008 levels).
However, current plans may not be good enough to meet the Paris Agreement targets (a legally binding international treaty that aims to limit global warming).
More ambitious efforts are clearly needed! The BBC even notes that the shipping industry’s current plans won’t see emissions halved until 2050 at the latest.
But what about the UK’s efforts? In May 2024, the government announced its intention to include the UK’s share of international shipping emissions in the country’s 2033-2037 carbon budget.
By doing this, the UK government is effectively acknowledging the sector as a significant contributor to climate change.
Join the Solar Takeover!
Progress starts in small ways. Just as solar-powered boats have improved, so has the UK’s uptake in solar energy, both on a residential and commercial scale. If you want to do your part, contact us today to learn more about our state-of-the-art solar panels.