Can solar photovoltaic systems be used in ship power systems?

For the large-scale ocean-going ship platform, the critical issue of applying solar photovoltaic (PV) system is integrating PV equipment into the ship power system (SPS) without changing its original structure.

Which type of PV system is used in Solar Ship?

According to the ratio between the PV system capacity and the ship’s power load demand, the PV system used in solar ship can be classified as the auxiliary power supply type and solar-powered type (Wei et al. 2010).

What is a solar ship?

Solar ships, namely ships that use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, are designed with the basic technical scheme that integrates the solar PV system into the ship power system (SPS) and utilises this zero-pollution, zero-emission PV power as much as possible.

Can solar panels be used on ships?

A range of products, solar cell technologies and accessories suitable for ships are available and customized panels are also possible upon request. Marine grade frames and mounting kits for ships & offshore applications are also available. For use on ships, PV modules or solar panels need to be installed correctly using specialised mounting frames.

Can solar panels power inland shipping?

Dutch researchers have looked at how PV systems could be used to power bulk vessels for inland shipping. They found that 7.18% and 5.78% of the energy demand of container ships and bulk vessels can be respectively supplied by solar panels. Freight ships in Cologne, Germany Image: Rolf Heinrich, Wikimedia Commons

Can a solar PV system be used in large ocean-going SPS?

Based on the system test data, operational monitoring data (navigation on China–Europe route and China-U.S. route during 22 months) and crew feedback information, conclusions are as follows: The integrated application of solar PV system can play a role in large ocean-going SPS, which can expand the available energy range of ships.