Patrizi (Enecom): "In a few years, solar power will be standard on every yacht."

Specializing in the design and production of flexible and customized photovoltaic modules, Enecom creates solar systems for various mobility sectors, including the nautical sector. The company develops ultra-lightweight panels that can be adapted to the design needs of shipyards, designers, and owners, with a particular focus on architectural integration and durability in a marine environment. Alessandro Patrizi, Enecom's Head of Sales and Marketing (pictured with Riccardo Secchi, Enecom's Technical and Production Director), analyzes the evolution of onboard photovoltaics, market demands, and technological prospects for the superyacht sector.

What is the technical difference between a “traditional” panel and one designed for a yacht?

When designing a panel for a yacht, the key considerations are aesthetic and functional integration and the ability to withstand the marine environment over time. Enecom panels were developed specifically for these applications: they are extremely light, thin, and flexible, and contain no metal components that are susceptible to corrosion. Our choice of materials also allows us to create panels with custom shapes to adapt to the available surfaces on board. We can also offer a variety of surface colors and virtually invisible wiring thanks to proprietary innovations such as miniaturized junction boxes installed on the back of the modules and bypass diodes laminated directly inside the panel.

How important is weight and curvature in superyacht installations?

Weight is a key factor in all photovoltaic applications for mobility. A superyacht can install 10-15 kW of panels, and the difference between traditional technology and ours is significant. A kilowatt of conventional glass-framed panels weighs about 60 kilograms, while a kilowatt of our modules weighs about 14 kilograms. Two other key features are also key: their reduced thickness and flexibility, which allow us to follow the vessel's geometry and create panels with completely custom shapes.

Your modules go up to about 185 Wp: how do you scale the power on a large yacht?

We recently unveiled our flagship model, which reaches a peak output of 205 watts. On a large yacht, the focus isn't on a single panel, but on the overall design of the photovoltaic array. This is an activity we carry out in collaboration with the vessel's designers, starting with the available surfaces, their exposure to the sun, and analyzing any shading generated by onboard equipment. The result is almost always a system composed of dozens of panels of varying shapes and power outputs. At the same time, we determine where to direct the energy produced, selecting the electronic components needed to connect the system to the service batteries, electrical management systems, and the yacht's digital command and control platforms. This is highly specialized work and represents one of the areas in which Enecom has developed a highly advanced expertise.

How “custom” is the product today for a shipyard or an owner?

The adoption of photovoltaic systems on medium and large yachts is a relatively recent but rapidly growing phenomenon. Designers, shipyards, and owners are organizing themselves to manage this evolution with different approaches. Today, many builders consider photovoltaic systems as optional extras to be included in their catalogs, also because owners are increasingly sensitive to these issues. Some of our clients, after the first experimental installations, are already preparing their new vessels to accommodate photovoltaic systems. Others, especially in the smaller boat segment, are installing panels as standard. Even in these cases, these are often modules developed specifically for that builder, which for us become dedicated standard products. The situation is different with existing yachts, where we undertake full-fledged refit projects that require specific solutions.

What are the most used surfaces: hard top, bimini, superstructures?

On large yachts, hard tops are the ideal surface. They generally offer ample unused space, flat surfaces, and favorable exposure to sunlight, characteristics that make them perfect for permanent installations integrated into the vessel's architecture. In the sailing world, however, the bimini top is the most popular solution. The lightness of our panels is particularly appreciated, and we have developed a series of dedicated accessories that facilitate both installation and removal when the bimini needs to be closed.

What is the main limitation today: available space, energy management, storage?

The real limitation remains the space available to install the panels. With the widespread use of lightweight, high-performance lithium batteries, storage is no longer a significant issue. The same goes for energy management and integration with other onboard sources, thanks to the numerous solutions offered by leading electronics manufacturers.

In practical terms, how much energy can a photovoltaic system on a superyacht produce?

"This is one of the aspects that most interests shipowners. For each project, we conduct an annual energy simulation based on the installed power and the planned navigation areas. As a reference, a 5 kW system installed at our latitudes can produce approximately 6.000 kWh per year. This is a significant energy contribution."

Which utilities are actually powered: hotel load, on-board systems, tender?

"In most cases, the energy produced is stored in the service batteries and used by all connected appliances, both during the day and at night. Occasionally, we are asked to develop applications dedicated to specific onboard appliances. This occurs especially in the professional sector, on passenger vessels and racing boats."

Are there differences between use on sailing yachts and motor yachts?

"Generally speaking, no, except for the growing demand for walkable panels in the sailing and catamaran world. To meet this need, we developed the Strong line, featuring a reinforced structure composed of eight layers, including a 0,6 mm aluminum foil that increases both mechanical strength and heat dissipation capacity. In its first year on the market, this range achieved very positive results. Also for the sailing sector, we have developed proprietary versions of extremely compact junction boxes that are fully integrated into the back of the panels, with bypass diodes laminated inside the module. These solutions have also been tested thanks to our collaboration with Andrea Mura aboard Vento di Sardegna during challenges such as the Solo Global Challenge."

Do you have any cases where solar powers specific systems?

"We often receive very specific requests on larger vessels. We recently worked on a 44-meter superyacht where the owner wanted to allocate part of the energy produced by the photovoltaic system to a dedicated gaming room. In another case, the panels power the stabilizers of a superyacht's tender. The sport fishing sector is also very interesting, where there is a growing demand for systems capable of powering the electronic equipment used especially at night and often with the engines off. We are collaborating in this area with Captain Maurizio Pastacaldi."

How much demand is there for photovoltaics today from superyacht owners and from shipyards?

"The most innovative shipyards already design their vessels with photovoltaic systems in place and include it among the available options. In the 20- to 30-meter segment, however, photovoltaics is increasingly becoming a standard feature."

Is the main driver sustainability, autonomy or image?

"Sustainability-related marketing certainly plays a significant role. However, photovoltaics is now part of a broader vision that includes innovative materials, propulsion systems, efficient lighting, and energy generation technologies. Furthermore, for charter vessels, the ability to increase energy autonomy is an increasingly sought-after feature."

Is refitting driving more than new builds?

"In my opinion, the two markets are growing in parallel. Refits started slightly later but are rapidly catching up. I believe that within a few years, an onboard photovoltaic system, regardless of size, will become standard on both new builds and refitted yachts."

Where can technology improve in the next five years: efficiency, integration, materials?

"Research is developing along three main lines. The first concerns architectural integration and, in particular, the possibility of producing colored panels without compromising performance. We are working on this topic with the CNR (National Research Council), the University of Pisa, and a group of specialized Italian companies. The second line is increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells, which continue to evolve toward ever-higher performance. The third concerns the materials that compose the panel, in our case, primarily the special plastics used in lamination."

Will we see fully “active” surfaces on yachts?

I'm convinced of this. On the one hand, cell-based technologies are emerging that can produce energy even in indirect light, making installation on vertical surfaces possible. On the other, manufacturers are developing processes that allow modules to be laminated directly onto various materials, transforming the panel into a true architectural element. Our factory is already producing modules integrated into aluminum, carbon, composite materials, and even tents and awnings. And we're just getting started.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE SUPER YACHT 24 NEWSLETTER

SUPER YACHT 24 IS ALSO ON WHATSAPP: JUST CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL AND ALWAYS BE UPDATED

The Sailing Super Yacht Forum returns to Genoa on November 27th.