PROJECTS
Completed projects
2014 Route du Rhum race
‘Defi Martinique’, an Open 50 sailboat, competed with a Solar Cloth System solar (photovoltaic) mainsail: the first full scale test in racing conditions of flexible solar panels (400g/m2) used to charge and recharge the onboard batteries. Upon arrival the solar textiles were intact, after 3,700 nautical miles (6,600 kms) of extreme weather conditions (a third of the boats leaving Saint Malo had to abandon the race).
Production cruising sailboats
Two designs of 100% ecological, zero emission, self-sufficient cruising sailboats are equipped with PowerSails® made by SolarCloth System: Arcona 380Z (Sweden) and J/88e (United States). The combination of solar sails with an auxiliary electric engine capable of hydro-generation solves the equation of energy autonomy
New York - Les Sables d'Olonne Race
In May 2016, New Zealand skipper Conrad Colman’s IMOCA 60 ‘FORESIGHT NATURAL ENERGY‘ competed in the New York-Sables d'Olonne race with a PowerSails® solar main sail and an emergency electric engine capable of hydro-generation. The combination of clean energy sources provided for all the boat’s electrical needs: automatic pilot, watermaker, pumps, lights, navigational and satellite transmission equipment.
Solar Awnings 2017
Several solar awnings, and photovoltaic biminis for boats and photovoltaic sun tarps designed for gardens and parking lots are under construction, notably for the brand Oyster (Great Britain) aiming for output of 600W to 1kW/48 volts.
Vendée Globe 2016 - 2017
New Zealand skipper Conrad Colman’s IMOCA 60 ‘FORESIGHT NATURAL ENERGY‘ has competing in the Vendée Globe race, considered the world’s most difficult race: non-stop around the world single-handed race taking place every four years. ‘FORESIGHT NATURAL ENERGY ‘ is equipped with a PowerSails® solar main sail and an emergency electric engine capable of hydro-generation. The combination of clean energy sources provided for all the boat’s electrical needs: automatic pilot, watermaker, pumps, lights, navigational and satellite transmission equipment.
Ongoing projects
Voile solaire pour ballon stratosphérique (CNES)
Collaboration with the French national space agency, the CNES, in developing a solar sail prototype to be placed and deployed from beneath a stratospheric balloon's basket.
The balloon's payload (1 ton of electronic equipment) has for purpose to study galactic radiation from an altitude of 45 km (28 miles), where winds are weaker and oxygen rarer.
Our solar cloth technology's resistance will be challenged in unprecedented conditions.
The CNES will test our prototype through scenarios of heavy stress, in particular repeated furling and unfurling.
Deployment of the solar sail will occur in areas of sparse cloud cover, high solar exposition and extreme temperature variations.
Solar greenhouse tunnels first semester 2017
Worldwide first: water/electricity self-sufficient solar greenhouse tunnels. Construction of two pilot greenhouses in collaboration with the Pays de Lérins Greater Community and the CEA. A detachable, furlable solar textile (50 m2) positioned on the ridge, will provide water self-suffiency by powering forage pumps, automated valves and plant irrigation as well as LED for lighting purposes. This innovative technology can be a gateway to the development of cultivation in off-the-grid fertile zones, improving stability of food sources in underdeveloped areas prone to chronic nutritional risk, as well as urban zones exposed to climate extremes including North America, Asia and parts of Europe.
Solar sun tarps
Under development for Veolia Propreté, a self-supporting solar sun tarp using renewable energy to power an autonomous treatment facility
Veolia - cleanup work boats for cleaner waters
Currently in the R&D phase with our Finnish partner company Oceanvolt. Ecological cleanup work boats for cleaner waters in ports, beaches, rivers and lakes using electrical engines and solar energy.
Design-stage projects
Airbus E-Fan – electric airplane
Currently in the R&D phase for the second generation Airbus E-Fan, photovoltaic wing installations will boost energy autonomy in electric training planes. 279VDC, 93W/m2, 350g/m photovoltaic films will recharge the plane’s batteries.
For more information, please contact us.
We are keen to answer any questions. Contact us by telephone, email or through social media.
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SAS Solar Cloth System, au capital de 275.500 € - Siret : 800 532 822 00015
Address : 141 avenue Jean Mermoz - 06210 Mandelieu-La Napoule, France