MarineSolar sets sights on wider commercial deployment of NanoDeck® solar technology

MarineSolar Energy Solutions is expanding its commercial deployment of the NanoDeck® solar technology, while simultaneously advancing its next-generation designs. The company has appointed Mijs Verhoeven as Director of Strategic Relationships to bolster connections with shipowners, managers, and operators worldwide. MarineSolar currently faces a challenge: commercial vessel deployment of solar power has been limited due to the harsh marine environment.

To address this, NanoDeck® was engineered specifically for the unique operating conditions at sea. From concept to deployment, NanoDeck® has undergone rigorous development, independent testing, and sea trials, including a pilot installation aboard Rio Tinto’s Newcastlemax RTM Cook. The current generation of NanoDeck® boasts a solar conversion efficiency of up to 23%, with the next generation slated for release in January 2027.

The company's long-term goal is to achieve an impressive 32% efficiency within five years. Additionally, MarineSolar is developing newer generations that can be upgraded or replaced, enabling owners to benefit from ongoing technological advancements. MarineSolar estimates that onboard solar installations can potentially reduce a vessel’s overall emissions by up to 5%, depending on factors such as vessel type, configuration, available surface area, trading routes, and operating profile.

The company's Chief Technical Officer, Chris Russell, highlighted NanoDeck®'s ability to provide both traditional solar energy generation via a battery and a direct power system for improved efficiency, all while being designed to withstand the rigors of the marine environment. MarineSolar sees solar power as a complementary technology alongside alternative fuels, batteries, wind-assisted propulsion, and other efficiency measures.

According to MarineSolar's CEO, Marc Roberts, shipowners have various surfaces that could generate electricity, and the technology allows for immediate reductions in fuel costs and emissions without having to rely on a single future fuel pathway. MarineSolar's Business Development Director, Joep Groot, utilizes the MarineSolar Atlas to tailor solutions for individual vessels or operations based on factors such as available surface area, energy demand, trading routes, solar irradiation, and time spent sailing or in port.

This analysis helps determine the potential impact on fuel consumption, emissions, and operating costs. MarineSolar is preparing for future growth by strengthening its production, installation capabilities, and supply chain. The company's Chief Supply Chain Officer, Ian Pilkington, emphasized that ongoing advancements in PV module and power conversion technology will directly influence future products.

Additionally, MarineSolar is building a global, end-to-end supply chain to ensure consistent supply and maintain high levels of service for the maritime industry. Lastly, MarineSolar has appointed Mijs Verhoeven, a maritime professional with extensive experience in international shipping, as Director of Strategic Relationships. Verhoeven will work closely with shipowners and managers to identify potential solar applications within individual vessels and fleets, understand their long-term energy strategies, and connect them with the appropriate technical expertise within MarineSolar.