SOLAR ROOF construction

[@norarivkis2513]

Why *can't* you use solar for your primary propulsion energy source? The people over at Silent Yachts do, most of the time.

[@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416]

Silent Yachts make a 55’ and 65’ yacht. A longer waterline is more efficient. They also have a larger solar array, more battery storage, and a more efficient hull design. I modified the 44’ factory hulls by adding 6’. That gave me 15% more efficiency but it is still less efficient than silent Yachts. My solar array produces about 3kWh and I collect about about 25kWh per day. I use 3kW to cruise at 3 knots but 25kWh to cruise at 6,5 knots. Here in Florida during the summer, it takes all the energy collected from the sun just to run the air conditioning. In the winter when I don’t run my air conditioning and seldom need to heat the boat, I can use the energy collected from the sun for propulsion. If I collect 75 kWh in three days, I can run for three hours at 6.5 kn or about 20 nautical miles from the sun. If I was willing to cruise at a very slow pace of 3 knots, that would extend my range to 75 nautical miles. I am usually not willing to go that slow so I run the generator. It produces 25 kWh. If I’m not running air-conditioning while underway, I can use the solar energy I collect as well as the energy stored in the batteries for propulsion. That enables me to cruise faster than 6.5 kn or silently for a period of time.

[@norarivkis2513]

@@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416 Oh, okay, I see now. Thanks for explaining! 🙂

[@ataturk277]

@@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416 could you add on extragenerator to boost the electric motors ,its seems to be running generator is cheaper then the diesel engine, am i right ?

[@cutekidstories]

Thanks for giving us some numbers. look forward to more explainer number videos... Also it was nice to see your toqueedo motors. I assume with electric motors you need to use your generator to produce enough power for long distance travel. Do you have Range/Diesel usage numbers for when you are using a generator to power the electric motors. From my calcuations it should be a lot more efficient than using diesel directly to power propulsion.

[@cutekidstories]

Okay, just went back on some of your Facebook posts and found this "After replacing the two 300hp diesel engines with electric motors, I now go seven miles on that same two gallons (seven times more efficiently)".... so your basically geting 3.5miles to the gallon... that is AMAZING!!!!! Please tell me what generator are you using.

[@ataturk277]

hi much the whole upateding cost because i am looking to buy a catamaran to turn into solar power one

[@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416]

I can send you a copy of the cost in detail if you send me that request through the Boats Facebook page.

[@ataturk277]

@@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416 thank you ,i have emailed you regards jahn

[@alialyami4207]

We need 24/7 🤐

[@rainerzufall689]

There is no thing as kilowatt per hour. That does not exist. You need to use the right units for energy and power.

[@rainerzufall689]

@Rob Which is "kilowatt" itself as you hopefully know :) Your comment doesn't make it entirely clear.

[@firsteditionthesolarelectr5416]

You are correct of course. That video was made from an interview almost 3 years ago when I knew very little about electric measurement. I still have a lot to learn. I’ll try to produce a more updated video that gives a better explanation with proper terms of measurement explaining how collect and use energy on my boat.