The Importance of Solar Energy

Many marinas no longer allow vessels to be connected to shore power when there’s no one on board, so automatic bilge pumps, remote monitoring and alarm systems, video surveillance cameras, communications router and refrigeration must all be able to operate from solar.

The generous solar array on Pegasus 50 is backed up with a massive 15kW bank of four lithium iron phosphate batteries. The battery chemistry is extremely safe, yet also accepts a very high yield from the solar array, far in excess of what can be achieved with lead acid or gel batteries. The battery bank is sized to enable core systems to continue operating even during days of largely overcast weather, then when sunnier weather returns they will return to full charge.

While leaving food in the freezer or fridge for months on end may not represent good practice, the ability to do so for a week or two can be extremely convenient and avoids the need to clean, dry and air the four refrigeration spaces on board each time you leave the boat for more than a day or two.

“If you have a lot of things in the fridge and the freezer and you're away from the boat for two or three days, then it’s not a problem, even if the boat isn’t connected to shorepower,” confirms Miha Breskvar, co-founder of Pegasus Yachts.

Equally having plenty of power available for automatic bilge pumps and the remote monitoring system that enables owners to check all key parameters of their boat, including battery state, is hugely reassuring.

As an option up to 2kW of solar power is available for the Pegasus 50. This is enough power for up to 70 per cent of the yacht’s daily requirements on passage, even with induction cooking and use of the autopilot 24/7. The remainder can normally be created by the hydrogenerator, without needing to run the yacht’s diesel generator.

In addition to the convenience of extended autonomy, this creates an extremely resilient set-up for long-distance sailing. With several efficient means of generating electricity on board, the failure of one of these systems has little or no impact.

The new Pegasus 67 will have a 3.5kW solar array as standard, comfortably meeting the increased power requirements of this larger yacht.