zonnesails
Zonnesails is a term used to describe sails that incorporate photovoltaic technology into the sail fabric to convert sunlight into electricity for on-board systems. The concept merges sail design with flexible solar cells, enabling energy generation while the sail is deployed.
Design and operation details vary, but most zonnesail implementations use lightweight, flexible solar cells embedded in
Advantages of zonnesails include reduced reliance on shore power or fossil-fuel generators, improved energy availability during
Challenges and limitations are notable. Integrating PV into sails adds weight and can affect sail shape, handling,
Historically, zonnesails have been explored in pilot projects and demonstration vessels rather than widely adopted in