Solar-assisted marine platforms combine photovoltaic energy collection with on-board storage and electrified systems to reduce fuel use and emissions across vessel lifecycles. Assessing these platforms requires a holistic view of material sourcing, manufacturing, operation, maintenance, end-of-life handling, and potential retrofits. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) helps quantify embodied energy, operational savings, and trade-offs among propulsion choices, storage strategies, and autonomy levels.

Solar integration and photovoltaics

Solar modules on marine vessels must balance power density, weight, and durability against corrosion and salt spray. Photovoltaics selected for marine use emphasize high energy-per-area and robust encapsulation; flexible and semi-flexible panels can conform to hull geometry, while rigid panels often offer higher conversion efficiency. The LCA should include module manufacturing impacts, transportation to the shipyard, expected degradation rates, and replacement intervals, because module lifetime and performance directly influence net lifecycle benefits.

Marine electrification and propulsion

Electrification of propulsion replaces or supplements internal combustion systems with electric motors, drivetrains, and power electronics. Electric propulsion systems often yield higher drivetrain efficiency and lower maintenance needs, but the LCA must account for the manufacturing impacts of motors and inverters and the potential need for range-extending systems. Hybrid arrangements that combine solar-assist, batteries, and auxiliary engines can optimize fuel reduction for specific mission profiles and reduce operational emissions over the vessel’s life.

Batteries, storage, and charging

Battery selection and energy storage architecture are central to lifecycle outcomes. Chemistry choice (e.g., lithium-iron-phosphate versus other lithium chemistries) affects energy density, cycle life, thermal management needs, and recyclability. Charging strategies should maximize onboard solar utilization while preserving battery life; smart charging coordinated with photovoltaics and shore power can minimize grid peaks. LCAs should include raw material extraction, cell production, expected cycle life, replacement frequency, and end-of-life recycling or disposal pathways.

Retrofit considerations and maintenance

Retrofitting existing vessels with solar arrays and electrified propulsion demands structural, electrical, and systems integration work. Retrofitting can avoid the embodied emissions of a new hull, but integration complexity, additional reinforcement, and downtime influence lifecycle outcomes. Maintenance regimes differ from conventional vessels: photovoltaic cleaning, corrosion control, battery diagnostics, and software updates become routine tasks. LCAs should compare retrofit scenarios against new-build options to determine which yields lower lifetime environmental impact for defined operational patterns.

Efficiency, navigation and autonomy

Operational efficiency gains arise from optimized hull forms, energy management systems, and navigation strategies that reduce energy demand. Integrating navigation systems with energy forecasts (solar irradiance, weather, and routing) and autonomy features can improve energy utilization and mission reliability. Autonomy levels influence sensor suites, compute demands, and redundancy requirements, which in turn affect energy consumption and component lifetimes—factors to include in a full lifecycle analysis when quantifying trade-offs between operational savings and additional embodied impacts.

Sustainability, energy sourcing and end-of-life

Sustainability assessment extends beyond operational fuel savings to include supply chain transparency, material criticality, and recyclability. LCAs should model scenarios for renewable-charged shore power versus grid-charged operation, as upstream electricity mix affects net emissions. End-of-life planning for photovoltaics, batteries, and composite hull materials influences overall environmental performance: robust recycling programs and circular design reduce long-term impacts. Considering storage reuse pathways and modular component replacement can lengthen service life and improve lifecycle sustainability.

Lifecycle assessment for solar-assisted marine platforms therefore integrates diverse elements: module and battery production, propulsion choices, retrofit versus new-build decisions, operational profiles, and end-of-life management. Quantitative LCA models enable comparison of scenarios and identification of hotspots where design or operational changes yield the largest benefits. By combining energy accounting with maintenance planning and navigation optimization, stakeholders can make evidence-based choices that balance performance, cost, and environmental outcomes.