Sunreef Yachts has won the 2020 UIM Environmental Award

«Sunreef Yachts» has won the 2020 Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Environmental Award with its project “In-House Engineered Solar Power System”.

The Sunreef Yachts Eco R&D Team reveals the pictures of the company’s in-house developed solar power system. Using ultra-thin, shock resistant and highly-efficient solar cells, it is the industry’s first composite-integrated photovoltaic technology. 

The shipyard’s solar skin system is currently being integrated on both power and sail catamarans within the Sunreef Yachts Eco range of luxury catamarans. The panels are entirely flush with all curved composite structures including masts, hull sides and biminis. With maximized solar power, the Sunreef Yachts Eco deliver the industry’s top solar power efficiency. 

“We reinvented solar panels for yachts. Our team has challenged the status quo in marine photovoltaic technology, making solar panels an integral part of the Sunreef Yachts Eco design. This is something unique in the whole yachting world.” Francis Lapp said – Sunreef Yachts Founder and President.

Weighing 1,8 kg/m², the system is the lightest marine photovoltaic solution and uses panels delivering a peak performance of 24%. In addition, the integration technique gives the panels an extremely high resistance to shock and abrasion.

The shipyard is currently building an 80 Sunreef Power motor yacht fitted with compositeintegrated solar panels. Featuring close to 200m² of panels (around 360kg), the yacht will be delivering 40 kW peak per hour. This solar energy set-up can produce the energy of two generators (which would weigh 800kg). This optimized solar panel system by Sunreef Yachts Eco can outperform a generator twice, not only by performance but also by weight. With maximized solar panel surface, the 80 Sunreef Power Eco can rely solely on renewable energy at reduced cruising speed.