Lets hope the ship in the image does better than its namesake...

Remember that ships and airoplanes flying over the sea shade the sea from a lot of solar radiation that would have heated the sea. If 1000 W is falling on every square metre a lot of solar radiation is prevented from entering the ocean. If the plane or aircraft reflects sunlight then this prevents Earth from heating.

Why not spread wings like a bird on the outside of the ship much like the space station spreads it wings to collect solar power? A ship 100 feet wide could easily spread out to 200 feet or more thus a 1000 foot cargo ship would have 200x1000 or 200,000 sq ft of solar space able to hold about 11,111 panels and produce 265 Watts x 11,111 = almost 3 million Watts. And that would be generated while in port as well if room to roll out the panels exists. That's a lot of power.

One has to assume that they have overcome the problem of salt encrustation of the sails and deck mounted panels, plus found a way to inhibit or prevent algae growth. If not, then this technology is at odds with the development of autonomous ships, as a crew will be needed to remove deposits to keep up the conversion efficiency of panels. Presumably there is a system to determine which source of power is preferential when the wind is in the wrong quarter for the sail position to be compatible with maximising solar capture.

Not an easy project as salt water and salty mist poses great challenges to solar PV. But considering the enormous pollution brought on by diesel ship engines (which burn the lowest grade fuel imaginable) any method to reduce fuel use is an improvement.

Sun and wind are almost a constant on the "bounding main". I am surprised there has not been more effort to harness sails to augment the engine power. The solar panel sails are a nice touch, but I wonder what is the payback period?
And Techtwit is right about conditions- salt water environments are quite corrosive.

Great idea... In theory What about supplementary wheigh from batteries ? What about total investments cost ? What about back-up "fuel" engines (same as "normal" ship or less) ?

With that acronym, I'm surprised the company got off the ground. That said, the mechanicals involved _alone_ would far offset the gains made by any solar power collected by the panels. Expect 5000% above average breakage and maintenance on the presentation hardware itself. They could present the panels in that manner only in calm seas with no wind. Har! Great premise, horrid implementation. Simply adding solar panels to the flat cargo lids and roof of the bridge (if not taken up by cranes) would give them the necessary eco power without all the headaches and extreme costs of mobilizing the solar panels. Someone needs to Buy a Clue!

I forgot to mention that if the panels (on the sails) were presented to the wind, they wouldn't be gathering solar power. And how often are cargo ships exposed to fair winds and following seas?

Could charge some flashlights as well as a lot of cell phones with that array.