The Greenline Hybrid Blog features interesting and up to date articles and news around the world of hybrid yachts, electric propulsion and solar technology.

GREENLINE HYBRID - Our Blog: All About the Latest Technologies

Enjoying the sea is what makes owning a boat so special. The feeling of being alone on your own little island, the tranquility of a secluded cove and the ocean unfurling to the horizon. A boat offers a unique connection to the marine environment and a privileged insight into the natural world that surrounds us.

The degradation of marine reserves and the natural environment is a challenge that affects us all and one that we must meet head on. Sea temperatures are rising, endangered species are under greater threat than ever and we, as a race, have reached a tipping point where our actions now will shape the future of this planet for generations to come. But there is hope. Hope in the will of determined young people like Greta Thunberg to raise awareness about the threat of the climate emergency, hope in the commitment by big corporations to play their part in improving our environment and hope in the technology that we can utilize to lessen the impact on our precious natural resources.

It is technology, specifically hybrid and solar, that leads the way to a less harmful and more sustainable future for powerboats. No sailor wishes harm to the environment from which they derive so much pleasure, and embracing the clean energy sources found in abundance at sea is a sure way to limit the amount of harmful toxins being released into the water and atmosphere.

What natural resource is there a limitless supply of at sea? Solar. Solar technology has improved hugely in recent years and has become more accessible, less expensive and more sustainable. Given that most boat owners would prefer to be using their boat in good weather it stands to reason that the addition of solar panels to a boat is a sensible solution.

Hybrid propulsion is another avenue that forges a path to a more sustainable future. Similarly to solar panels, battery technology has come on leaps and bounds and for this the automotive industry is owed a debt of thanks. The drive by some of the biggest companies in the world to electrify our cars has meant a significant investment in infrastructure and battery capabilities, which can be harnessed in the boating world.

If these two technological developments are combined with electric motors the result is a solar/electric craft that not only is far kinder to the environment than an equivalent with internal combustion engines but also far more pleasant for those on board. Electric motors effectively silent when they operate so arriving and departing quiet anchorages can be done in peace and the same can be said for entering and leaving a harbour.

Along with providing a means of propulsion, solar installation can also be used to run the boat’s domestic equipment, be that the fridge/freezer, on board lighting or even the air-conditioning. No need to turn the engines to run the boat’s domestic systems or resort to running a noisy, polluting generator.

Your level of autonomy increases too, less time spent worrying about where you might be able to connect to shorepower for the evening and more spent away from the crowds enjoying quality time with friends and family.


Greenline Yachts is leading the charge in this exciting sphere of modern boating and has been producing solar-equipped hybrid boats since 2008. The Greenline hybrid concept uses four times less fossil fuel than a planing powerboat in similar conditions. Every single yacht in the range can be specified as either hybrid or full electric, from the sporty NEO to the opulent OceanClass 65. It doesn’t matter what the budget is or what style of boat is required, Greenline ensures that sustainable propulsion is available to all.

On average the Greenline hybrid can travel on electric power alone for 20 nautical miles at a speed of 5 knots, which is ideal for idyllic coast hopping and inland cruising. With just the sound of water rushing beneath the hull, the senses are heightened and the connection to the sea more pure. Yes, this technology is far kinder to the environment but it also provides a serene and tranquil experience for everyone on board the boat, too.

An experience made all the greater by the luxury and attention to detail of Greenline’s boats. The adoption of new technology can sometimes lead to compromises in the day to day workings of a product but that is no the case with the Greenline range. The boats are stylish, contemporary and designed with robust sea going hulls, the sustainable technologies simply add to the allure of Greenline ownership.

In owning a Greenline and committing to changing the way we think about propelling our boats there is no sacrifice to be made. There is no loss of comfort – only the addition of convenience and the possibility to enjoy the sea without harming our precious ecosystems.

If technology is part of the answer to the challenge that faces us then it must improve the user experience as well as lessen the impact on the environment and that is what has been achieved by Greenline Yachts.

Enjoy responsible boating and experience a new level of comfort with the Greenline Yachts range: www.greenlinehybrid.com

Solar energy has commonly been used to power energy systems, but only over the past five years have solar-powered yachts has become commonplace in the marine industry.  The first solar yacht made its first debut in 2010, and ever since then using solar to power appliances onboard has become increasingly popular. According to the National Geographic solar energy use has surged at approximately 20 per cent a year over the past 15 years.

Solar yacht accessories have provided a platform to demonstrate the merits of solar power and made it easy to reap the sun's heat and energy benefits. The optimal way of harnessing solar power onboard is by opting for a solar roof. The energy is entirely carbon-free, and the silver lining is that it is free to use.

Greenline's Forecast On Emerging Solar Power Trends on Yachts

Apart from increased accessibility and availability, we can expect solar power products to continue to adopt smart tech and energy-efficient tools to harness every kilowatt of solar energy. The use of utility management software has provided us with the means to do so. More solar panels being manufactured means that the material's process and cost have become more efficient, thus lowering the price. Our top five forecasts for emerging trends within the solar energy in the marine industry are:

 Solar powered yacht holidays resorts- pre-engineered solution that includes the docking area with several solar electric yachts serving as floating sustainable villas for guests and other accompanying infrastructure;

Yachts which integrate solar power and artificial intelligence;

Digitised smart systems on yachts to utilise real-time data to make energy use more effective.

According to Ocean Tech, boats currently generate 1000 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which is surplus to the amount emitted by the whole of Canada. The proximate relationship that yacht owners have with marine life means that rewiring yachters' habits and behaviours can culminate in making an impact. In a bid to ease your environmental conscience, yacht owners can invest in hybrid or electric yachts. Guidelines on best practices have improved over the past ten years. Boat owners must follow best practice to mitigate damage to marine life. Educate all guests on board and spread awareness of best practice for eco-friendly yachting.

In addition to this boat owners can plan more fuel-efficient routes to conserve fuel and cut GHG emissions. Apps are there to help you use energy and time real-time data- look up some data. 

Buying an Eco-friendly Yacht is the New Norm.

Millenials buying a new yacht have a slightly different mindset to the previous generations. When given the choice between buying a boat with minimal emissions and engine vibrations, compared with a noisy fossil-fueled yacht, there is no contest. Fossil fuels will soon seem out of touch and will eventually become obsolete. After all, the yacht you purchase speaks about your core values and beliefs. A fossil-fueled boat is no longer a positive advertisement or expression of your values. If you're going to buy a yacht that stands the test of time, a hybrid or fully electric yacht which economises energy and uses solar power is a safe choice. 

With a bank of solar panels, you can use all of the boat’s appliances, whether cruising or at rest, without having to fire up a generator or connect to shore power. This means there is no noise, no vibrations, no emissions and no disturbing your neighbours when the boat is on anchor. By utilising high-performance LiPo batteries, can even high load appliances like air-conditioning in silence. While Greenline harnesses the sun's energy, we don’t expect to use this as the only form of energy. The solar panels on the hardtop keep the batteries fully charged and provide additional energy. The boat is available in either an H-Drive (Hybrid propulsion) or an E-Drive system (fully electric).

How Does A Greenline Integrate Solar Power?

Each solar panel on a Greenline yacht is made up of Photovoltaic cells and are made of semiconductor materials. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity. 

Every Greenline yacht features a solar roof, including forced air cooling, with up to 3kWh! That’s 10-15 kWh of power per day, depending on the model and weather conditions. The solar power systems consist of solar panels, batteries, charge controllers and inverters. As a result, the solar panels can supply continuous power to onboard main devices such as the refrigerator, air conditioning and entertainment systems, removing the need for a generator or shore power.

Hybrid models simply mean that two or more sources of energy are used. Greenline yachts use a strategic combination connecting four modes of operation with full integration and simplicity. 

The Greenline Hybrid concept uses up to four times less fuel than a Powerboat. H-Drive offers silent and emission-free navigation. The boating community refers to the H-drive as ‘Gentleman’s Boating’ because it allows you to navigate without disturbing your neighbours at the anchorage or in the marina. The H-Drive provides a range of up to 20 nautical miles at approximately 5 knots on a full charge, more than enough for a typical and relaxed day on the water.

The protected H-Drive connects the four modes of operation with full integration and simplicity. A control system provides a simple interface to the user, via a single switch whereby they can switch between diesel and electric mode. The running cost of electric boating is ten times lower than burning diesel fuel.

How Do You Harness Solar Power On A Greenline at Shore?

At the dock, the boat is plugged into the 230V (120 V) AC shore power supply. The battery pack is under charge and the inverter provides AC power to run home appliances.

 Greenline’s mission is simple- to blend modular design, contemporary styling, seamless living and eco-friendly boating for an enhanced ecperience.

Find out more about Greenline's Hybrid propulsion. 

Solar energy has commonly been used to power energy systems, but only over the past five years have solar-powered yachts has become commonplace in the marine industry.

Why Solar Powered Yachts are a Prudent Choice For 2021

Turquoise water softly laps the bow as you cruise towards another idyllic, sun-kissed bay where scented pine hillocks give way to a gentle crescent of dazzling sandy beach in the distance. With blue skies overhead and nothing but the gentle breeze cooling your face, the immense beauty of silent, solar-powered cruising is crystal clear. Ensconced in nature and at one with the sea, a silent, solar powered yacht allows boat owners to truly appreciate the world’s captivating and kaleidoscopic cruising grounds like never before.

On board a hybrid yacht, with no burbling engine and zero vibrations, owners can soak up the pure bliss of cruising – be it across majestic fjords, around jewel-tone islands or day tripping from charming ports. At its very core, a hybrid boat provides users with a connection to the natural world and the ability to cruise safely and more economically without harming the stunning marine environment we all hold so dear.

On anchor, feel the freedom of being totally self-sufficient and using all your home-from-home amenities including air-con, fridge, coffee maker and laptop chargers, with no need to switch on noisy generators and fracture the beauty of simply swinging silently off the hook amid gin-clear waters.

For many years, solar power has been put to good use in the marine world; solar catamarans enabled more environmentally friendly cruising in the Caribbean, and solar-power ferries are in use in many destinations around the world, helping to reduce harmful gas emissions and offering an innovative way to travel from A to B without adversely impacting the environment and our precious marine habitats. Greenline has taken this ethos to a new level in the leisure marine market, producing electric boats for sale and developing more advanced solar and hybrid technologies for powerboats ranging from 10m to 20m, which provide owners with the real ability to cruise unharnessed by range. Add to this the benefits of low maintenance and the running costs of electric boating proving ten times lower than burning diesel fuel and the case for solar-power cruising and solar yachts really begins to stack up.

Greenline has been at the forefront of solar power for more than a decade. In 2009, the company launched its hybrid system on board the Greenline 33, making waves in the industry as the first production boat available with this technology. Following constant technological developments and research, Greenline remains the pioneer for solar-power boating.

While technological advancements may be all well and good, though, what really counts is how this works out on the water. The Greenline range is the one and only fleet available in hybrid, electric or diesel drive. Every Greenline has solar panels and AC power onboard at all times as standard with the upgrade of additional solar panels on the T-top available on the new Greenline 45 Fly and the Greenline 48 Fly. Hard top and Coupe versions of the new NEO and 48 Coupe are continuing to provide ultimate performance, providing more than 1.2kWp (NEO) and 2.4 kWp (48 Coupe) of solar power for its owners.

In real terms, this means that owners can live in comfort on board, using all those handy appliances, while cruising or at anchor without powering up the generator or needing to connect to shorepower. With no noise, vibration or emissions, you can also cruise or swing off the hook without disturbing your neighbours. Then there are the cost benefits – less work on the diesel engine means lower maintenance costs and by harnessing the free power of the sun owners can benefit from lower running costs as the cost of electric boating has been proven to be 10 times lower than burning diesel fuel.

A 40ft boat with 3-4 passengers or crew will consume approximately 6 kWh during a 24-hour period (this includes use of a 220V/110V fridge, induction stove, TV, coffee machine, laptop charge and all the small home-from-home comforts). So let’s assume your Greenline has 7.2 kWh of battery storage and 1.8 kWp of solar on the roof (standard on Greenline 40 for example). Firstly, you have more storage than you need for 24 hours and secondly on a sunny weekend you would have more charge then your batteries can store which means you would never run out of power. Even on a cloudy weekend, our boats can harness enough solar power to charge the batteries and keep them topped up throughout a 48-hour period.

Think solar yachts require cloudless blue skies 12 hours a day? Think again! Let’s take a cloudy two-day leisurely weekend out on the water on a Greenline 40, which has the standard battery pack of 7.2 kWh battery storage. While using all the usual amenities on board, including cooking, fridge, freezer, anchor winch, lights, electric toilet, music, heating and so on, the average consumption per 24-hour cloudy day will be around 5.8 kWh. The solar recharge on a cloudy day is still 3 kWh, meaning at the end of day 1, your batteries will be reading around 4 kWh of charge. On day 2, conditions are still cloudy, and you consume another 5.8 kWh using the boat – the Greenline continues to harness solar power and recharges an average of 3 kWh, giving you a battery capacity of approximately 1.5 kWh at the end of your two-day weekend. There’s no compromise, no sacrifice and no running out of charge!

Greenline’s technology is integrated seamlessly meaning utilising solar power has never been easier. Even when weather conditions don’t play ball, you can still harness the power of the sun and remain wonderfully self-sufficient. The dream of cruising serenely under your own power, arriving and departing ports and picturesque bays silently and being able to spend days in blissful cruising grounds without the need for shorepower is now a reality.

Owners do not have to sacrifice on their creature comforts on board, nor worry about charging their tablets, phones and laptops, and can be safe in the knowledge that the air-con, fridge, freezer, heating and all manner of utilities on board are ready at the flick of a switch. The only difference? No noisy vibrations from the generator.

As boaters, we all know the true joy of spending time out on the water with friends and loved ones. Let Greenline’s solar advancements enhance your cruising and bring down the costs of running and maintenance, enable silent, eco-friendly propulsion and provide environmentally cruising with unrivalled comfort and luxury.

Find out more about Greenline’s hybrid/electric range.

Turquoise water softly laps the bow as you cruise towards another idyllic, sun-kissed bay where scented pine hillocks give way to a gentle crescent of dazzling sandy beach in the distance.

Greenline Yachts
Zapuže 10a
4275 Begunje, Slovenia

Greenline Yachts, Zapuže 10a, 4275 Begunje, Slovenia 
+386 4 572 77 34

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Currently, we still offer diesel engines but we strive to use the most efficient ones that the market has to offer. Our aim is to provide the most responsible diesel boating solution available. 

Greenline Yachts offers the only complete fleet with conventional, hybrid or electric drive in the world

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We believe that electric propulsion is the future of responsible boating. This is why every model in the Greenline range is available with a fully electric drive system, which provides silent, emission free propulsion and integrated energy management to run the boat’s domestic supply. 

EDrive Technology

We are pioneers of hybrid propulsion in boats and have been using this technology since 2008. Years of experience in hybrid drivetrains has allowed us to perfect the system not only for the purposes of propulsion but also for maximum efficiency and comfort while living on board.

HDrive Technology

Environment

Our aim is to provide comfort on board like no other. With a bank of solar panels you can use all of the boat’s appliances, whether cruising or at rest, without having to fire up a generator or connect to shore power. This means there is no noise, no vibrations, no emissions and no disturbing your neighbours when the boat is on anchor. By utilising high performance LiPo batteries, even high load appliances like air-conditioning can be run in silence. 

Solar Benefits Hybrid

Even without the hybrid drive system, there are huge benefits from Greenline’s standard fit solar panels. The panels are constantly creating sustainable energy and feeding the domestic battery bank so onboard lighting and refrigeration, for example, can be run silently without having to rely on a diesel generator. This harnessing of solar power brings both peace of mind and a responsible way to create energy on board.

News, updates and insights

Hybrid boats are the future of cruising

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