SOLAR 3 GETS SEXY
New German company Alva Yachts has unveiled two all-new solar-powered motor catamarans. The Ocean Eco 60 and Ocean Eco 90 have been designed from the outset to use solar energy as the main source of power. Managing director Mathias May says this is crucial to their appeal as most of the solar boats available up to now have either been adapted from existing designs or look like boxes. “Our designs,” he says, “take this niche to the next level, because we have not only considered every aspect of our specifications from an energy-efficiency perspective, but also integrated the solar panels into the superstructures.”
First to arrive will be the Alva Ocean
Eco 60 featuring twin 100kw electric motors, a peak solar generation capability of 20kw and a 300kwh lithium-ion battery bank.
This will enable a short-burst top speed of around 14 knots and a typical range of about 110nm at a seven-knot cruise in calm seas and sunny conditions.
However, drop the speed to four and five knots, turn the air-conditioning off and in the same conditions the range would be virtually unlimited as well as emissions-free, even with the usual ‘hotel loads’ associated with onboard cooking, refrigeration, watermaking and pumping.
The 60 is priced from €1.8m, excluding taxes but with a comprehensive specification is likely to cost around €2.2m on the water. Similarly, the 90 concept would weigh in at just under €6m fully equipped. The first 60 has already been sold to an American client and construction is expected to begin before the end of the year at a soon-to-be-announced build partner in Southern Turkey. Delivery should be in late ’21.
Alva is also planning to launch a new range of off-grid floating villas that rely on the same energy-efficient solar-powered technology for eco-conscious resorts and holiday homes.