[Image Credit: Soelyachts.Com

Solar-charged boating has arrived

The SoelCat 12 -- a solar-charged boat -- is a pretty sight to take in with all of the solar panels on top. [Photo Credit: SoelYacht.Com]
The SoelCat 12 — a solar-charged boat — is a pretty sight to take in with all of the solar panels on top. [Image Credit: SoelYachts.Com]
This is very cool (see pics at top and below): A solar-charged and solar-powered pontoon boat that runs 100 percent on sunshine generated electricity when traveling at speeds of six knots or below.

Designed and produced by Soel Yachts and Naval DC, the SoelCat 12 is an autonomous solar electric pontoon. It’s equipped with storage batteries that ensure a large percentage of solar-powered boating.

In addition to providing solar-charged/powered boating, when moored the pontoon boat has the capacity to offer surplus solar energy to a resort, or other “ecotourism” spot.



The SoelCat 12 has a total lithium battery capacity of 120kWh and can operate for six hours at eight knots on batteries alone. The 39-foot vehicle can cruise at speeds between six and 15 knots.

“At six knots, the vessel operates entirely off the energy provided by the solar panels during sun shine hours,” notes David Czap, who has worked on the design of the solar pontoon.

The lounge deck of the Soelcat 12 solar pontoon boat. [Photo Credit: Soelyacht.Com]
The lounge deck of the Soelcat 12 solar pontoon boat. [Image Credit: Soelyachts.Com]