Solar sails anyone?

According to Dave Berry's excellent piece on solar power in the latest PBO the answer may well be no. The output/area of the new technologies such as this one is about half of that achieved by the rigid panels that most of us use. He does say that they are improving constantly but usefulness on boats would seem to some time off.
 
Perhaps in the short term for electrically powered mobo's ? Anything's better than paying for 500 gallons.

I'm intrigued by the solar powered underpants, maybe SWMBO will get me some for Christmas...:)
 
vyv_cox said:
The output/area of the new technologies such as this one is about half of that achieved by the rigid panels that most of us use.
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That doesn't sound bad, considering "solar sailcloth" wouldn't occupy any deck-space...and even a very small sail would present far greater area to sunlight than even enthusiastic rigid-panel users generally carry aboard at present.

Presumably it wouldn't be necessary to hoist a sail, to get the solar output from it...just unroll it on deck, plugged into the charging circuit?
 
Lazy Kipper said:
I don't want to leave my sails up at anchor.
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Presumably, if the solar PV-fabric can be made into sails, it could as easily take the form of a bimini top, or just matting that could be unrolled productively across a deck-area when the vessel isn't under way. The potential to take the form of sail cloth was the tricky bit, wasn't it? Not a downside or limitation to be bound by.
 
dancrane said:
Presumably, if the solar PV-fabric can be made into sails, it could as easily take the form of a bimini top, or just matting that could be unrolled productively across a deck-area when the vessel isn't under way. The potential to take the form of sail cloth was the tricky bit, wasn't it? Not a downside or limitation to be bound by.
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Arcona are bringing out a 38' boat which will have solar sails, solar biminis and cagnards as well as solar UV strip on the genoa. It will only have an electric motor. Given they no longer have to stock diesel they can load up on batteries. Probably wouldn't work in the UK though.....

http://www.uksailmakers.com/News/SAIL-POWER-MEETS-SOLAR-POWER_1_793.html

http://www.oceanvolt.com/project/arcona-380/

http://www.actunautique.com/2015/01/environnement-arcona-380z-un-voilier-suedois-zero-emissions.html

The idea of unlimited range with the engine is appealing. And no diesel cost.
 
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Big leaps in materials technology will make some really radical changes to sailing. First stage will be woven PV in sails, dodgers, sprayhood etc IMHO, but possibly then integrating PV into the GRP as well.

A number of companies and research foundations have also been developing PV paint eg http://www.solaripedia.com/files/1015.pdf.
 
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Interesting, I've seen a few expedition boats with solar strips all over the coachwork, but the more research I do the more I am drawn to hydro power production as it should be "on" 24/7 while underway.
 
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