# Memorial University of Newfoundland models 10.56 kW solar boat design

- Published: 2026-11-07 09:00 UTC
- Section: Power & Energy › Transport
- Tags: solar boat design, Memorial University of Newfoundland, photovoltaic propulsion, brushless DC motor, HOMER Pro, MATLAB Simulink
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-7ebdef7bed7912028d20d56d_memorial_university_of/

**Engineers sized a 10.56 kW photovoltaic propulsion system for an 11.8-meter pleasure craft, modeling 6 hours of daily cruising.**

![Memorial University of Newfoundland models 10.56 kW solar boat design](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/0fb21e38b300e81b.jpg)
*pv-magazine.com*

Engineers from the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada have modeled a standalone solar-electric propulsion system designed for a small recreational vessel, pv-magazine.com reported. The team designed the setup for an 11.8-meter-long, 5.8-meter-wide pleasure boat accommodating five to six passengers, tailored to solar irradiation profiles in Larnaca, Cyprus [1].

## Sizing and powertrain specs

Based on a full-load displacement of approximately 2,250 kg and a cruise speed of 5.4 knots, the researchers selected two 2.5 kW brushless DC motors [1]. The propulsion architecture requires an estimated 30 kWh for six hours of daily operation. Energy generation comes from 32 photovoltaic modules rated at 330 W each, providing a total peak capacity of 10.56 kW across roughly 62.4 m² [1]. Backup storage comprises eight lead-acid batteries wired into a 48 V, 410 Ah pack with 19.68 kWh nominal capacity, sized to provide two hours of reserve autonomy.

## Simulation and power management

The engineering team assessed the design using HOMER Pro for yield estimation alongside dynamic multi-domain modeling in MATLAB/Simulink [1]. The photovoltaic array is split into four subarrays, each regulated by a boost converter with incremental-conductance maximum power point tracking (MPPT) feeding a common 48 V DC bus [1]. A closed-loop PID controller combined with Hall-effect sensors maintains motor shaft speeds at 2,000 rpm, while an energy management system caps battery charging at 50 A and mitigates surplus generation.

Simulations under local clear-sky peak irradiance showed array output reaching up to 10.98 kW, yielding an excess energy margin of 39.8% above baseline propulsion demand [1]. The researchers noted that bus voltage stayed within ±3% of the 48 V baseline throughout solar-only, hybrid, and battery-only operating regimes, with sea trials remaining as future work.

## Sources

1. [pv-magazine.com](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/11/07/researchers-unveil-10-56-kw-solar-powered-pleasure-boat)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-7ebdef7bed7912028d20d56d_memorial_university_of/