If you look closely at the illustrations here, you will notice something different about the hulls and superstructures. They include solar panels. These are the first of several features distinguishing the new Sunreef Eco Yachts models. Starting with the Sunreef 80, megayachts will be available, too, in both power and sail.
Last year, the shipyard launched the first of what it called Eco-Electric catamarans, the compact sailing yachts Sunreef 50 and Sunreef 60. Both rely on electric engines and battery banks instead of traditional diesel engines and gensets. They use more environmentally friendly decor materials, too, like the compressed-paper countertops aboard the 60. Since “Eco catamarans are not only about electric engines,” Francis Lapp, the yard’s founder and president, says, Sunreef Yachts has been researching more solutions. That explains why more models, including the Sunreef 80, are becoming available, and why The Sunreef Eco Yachts range uses solutions developed in house.
In fact, the shipyard chose Earth Day to announce the details. Nicholas Lapp, the R&D director, says the yard created its own solar panels, which are patent-pending. He adds that they are lightweight, less than 2 kilos per square meter (roughly the equivalent of 4.4 pounds per 11 square feet). Plus, less than 1 mm thick, they are unobtrusive, yet interestingly strong and flexible. “We can shape them to any form of the yacht,” Nicholas Lapp states. Therefore, the Sunreef 80 will include them directly in the hull and superstructure.
Specifically, he says, the Sunreef 80 will have upwards of 2,153 square feet (200 square meters) of solar panels. Their total weight will be about 794 pounds (360 kilos). Plus, they’ll have the same peak output as two 20-kW gensets, he continues, which would be a traditional power supply for a Sunreef megayacht like this. He also says they’re a tremendous weight saver, considering just one typical 20-kW genset is about 882 pounds (400 kilos).
Additionally featuring a lightweight battery bank and more efficient, D.C.-powered air conditioning, watermakers, and other systems, the first Sunreef 80 will use hybrid power, at a customer’s request. According to the yard, he wants to go about 20 knots at times. Yet, running only on electric power, the yacht should still achieve 12 knots.
More details should be available in the coming months. So should details about an 80 sailing yacht in the design stages. Sunreef is exploring using reclaimed teak, recycled fabrics, and all-natural fabrics for multiple customers. Furthermore, a Sunreef 100 will be available with the eco-oriented solutions.
Sunreef Yachts Eco Yachts sunreef-yachts-eco.com
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