Marine

Life at a slower pace, with the solar-powered Bauhaus Barge

Life at a slower pace, with the solar-powered Bauhaus Barge
The Bauhaus Barge has 25 square meters of PV panels on its side and top which are said to provide enough free energy to power its motor, lighting and modern appliances
The Bauhaus Barge has 25 square meters of PV panels on its side and top which are said to provide enough free energy to power its motor, lighting and modern appliances
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The PV panels on Bauhaus are claimed to produce an average of 1,400 kWh of free electricity per annum
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The PV panels on Bauhaus are claimed to produce an average of 1,400 kWh of free electricity per annum
Bauhaus has 25 square meters of 4mm thick, scratch resistant, self-cleaning polycrystalline UniSolar PVL-144 laminate, amorphous panels rated at 1.7kW
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Bauhaus has 25 square meters of 4mm thick, scratch resistant, self-cleaning polycrystalline UniSolar PVL-144 laminate, amorphous panels rated at 1.7kW
A 21-inch diameter phosphor bronze propeller with a pitch of 27 inches and rudder are mounted below the bottom of the steel flat bottom hull to further increase the craft's efficiency
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A 21-inch diameter phosphor bronze propeller with a pitch of 27 inches and rudder are mounted below the bottom of the steel flat bottom hull to further increase the craft's efficiency
There's a chocolate-colored Bauhaus style 1930's wood-burning stove at the center of the lounge area for warmth in the colder months
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There's a chocolate-colored Bauhaus style 1930's wood-burning stove at the center of the lounge area for warmth in the colder months
The designer claims that the panels produce enough power for over 2,000 km of gentle cruising up and down London's canal system
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The designer claims that the panels produce enough power for over 2,000 km of gentle cruising up and down London's canal system
The PV panels on the side are also said to take advantage of sunlight reflected off the surface of the water
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The PV panels on the side are also said to take advantage of sunlight reflected off the surface of the water
The solar panels are said to provide enough free electricity for the lighting and appliances, including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and cooker
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The solar panels are said to provide enough free electricity for the lighting and appliances, including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and cooker
The Bauhaus Barge has 25 square meters of PV panels on its side and top which are said to provide enough free energy to power its motor, lighting and modern appliances
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The Bauhaus Barge has 25 square meters of PV panels on its side and top which are said to provide enough free energy to power its motor, lighting and modern appliances
A single charge of the onboard battery bank will provide the occupants with around 50 km of gentle cruising at around 30 percent power
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A single charge of the onboard battery bank will provide the occupants with around 50 km of gentle cruising at around 30 percent power
Bauhaus features a good-sized kitchen with modern appliances like a dishwasher, fridge-freezer and cooker
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Bauhaus features a good-sized kitchen with modern appliances like a dishwasher, fridge-freezer and cooker
There's a bedroom/cabin at the end of the passage, another smaller one before it and a bathroom
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There's a bedroom/cabin at the end of the passage, another smaller one before it and a bathroom
A specially-made, toughened skylight above the lounge offers natural light during the day, as well as security
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A specially-made, toughened skylight above the lounge offers natural light during the day, as well as security
Entry is via a full-size, glazed door at the stern and there's around 6.5 feet (two meters) of headroom
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Entry is via a full-size, glazed door at the stern and there's around 6.5 feet (two meters) of headroom
Bauhaus offers very spacious accommodation, the lounge/kitchen area is some 25 square meters
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Bauhaus offers very spacious accommodation, the lounge/kitchen area is some 25 square meters
Bauhaus is very bright and roomy inside
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Bauhaus is very bright and roomy inside
The bathroom with shower and toilet, and room for storage
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The bathroom with shower and toilet, and room for storage
One of the two bedrooms, with German-made double-glazed safety window
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One of the two bedrooms, with German-made double-glazed safety window
Some visitors ask about renting Bauhaus for the summer season
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Some visitors ask about renting Bauhaus for the summer season
Multi-layer composite insulation with an air gap helps keep Bauhaus frost free and snug in colder months
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Multi-layer composite insulation with an air gap helps keep Bauhaus frost free and snug in colder months
View of the roomy kitchen/dining area aboard Bauhaus
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View of the roomy kitchen/dining area aboard Bauhaus
Close up of the chocolate-colored Bauhaus style 1930's wood-burning stove
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Close up of the chocolate-colored Bauhaus style 1930's wood-burning stove
Layout of Bauhaus, showing the position of the 24 wet lead acid battery cells
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Layout of Bauhaus, showing the position of the 24 wet lead acid battery cells
View gallery - 22 images

The soothing sound of canal water gently lapping against wood as you fall into peaceful slumber has got to be one of the best ways to end a relaxing day of leisurely cruising past sights that many Londoners rarely glimpse. Doing so on a vessel that gets the power for its motor, lighting and modern appliances from the Sun, features multi-layer insulation, underfloor heating and a charming wood-burning stove, and is surprisingly bright and roomy inside, seems too good to be true. Meet the Bauhaus Barge, a Dutch-style wide beam houseboat which is all of that and more.

The shell of the 50 x 13.5 foot (15.24 x 4.11 meter) Bauhaus Barge was built in the Midlands by JL Pinder & Sons in 2010. The company also fitted hydraulic steering, to specifications provided by its German-born designer - who has asked that we not use his name. A furniture restorer of many years standing, the creative force behind the project used experience gained in the construction of energy-efficient housing known as Passiv Haus, along with a burning desire to prove that sustainable living on canals was possible, to develop an energy-efficient, solar-powered wide beam houseboat.

The PV panels on the side are also said to take advantage of sunlight reflected off the surface of the water
The PV panels on the side are also said to take advantage of sunlight reflected off the surface of the water

A somewhat unique proposition in the world of traditional narrow/wide beam boat building, where the term eco-friendly is not often thrown about, the huge brick-like Bauhaus features multi-layer composite insulation to help reduce the chilling effects of the British summer - not to mention the colder months. The steel on the sides and roof is spray foamed to afford some basic insulation, then there's a gap of between 50 and 120 mm (1.96 - 4.72 inches) to allow air to circulate from the bilge of the barge to the roof and back again.

"In hot weather the air rises along the south facing side, passing under the roof, and falls on the shaded side to the bilge, which is the coldest area being cooled by the surrounding water," explains the designer. "In harsh winter, even with frozen water, the water below the ice will be warmer than the air above. The warmer water below the ice will generate warm air within the bilge, helping to keep Bauhaus frost free even in the coldest periods. This arrangement of an enclosed passive ventilation keeps also condensation to an absolute minimum."

After the air gap is multi-layer foil insulation. On the sides, this is followed by 50mm (1.96-inch) thick Rockwool slabs positioned between the pine battening. Then, there's foil-backed Xtratherm polyboard topped by plasterboard. The ceiling layer structure is slightly different, in that polyboard is used instead of Rockwool, and then finished with 11mm (0.43-inch) thick oriented strand boards. The floor is different again - there's no spray foam and Rockwool is placed between the joists, followed by 18mm (0.7-inch) of WPS plywood, 6mm (0.23-inch) of XPT foam, then the underfloor heating components, and finally the oak effect laminate flooring.

Bauhaus offers very spacious accommodation, the lounge/kitchen area is some 25 square meters
Bauhaus offers very spacious accommodation, the lounge/kitchen area is some 25 square meters

The layout of Bauhaus is said to offer more internal floor space than many other similar-sized craft, and comprises 25 square meters (269 square feet) of kitchen/lounge, one bedroom/cabin measuring 12 square meters (129 square feet) and another of 7 square meters (75 square feet), and a three square meter (32 square feet) bathroom with shower and toilet. Entry is via a full-size, glazed door at the stern and there's around 6.5 feet (two meters) of headroom. A specially-made, toughened skylight above the lounge offers natural light during the day, as well as security. The German-made double-glazed safety windows and doors are said to provide optimal thermal and noise insulation, and there's a chocolate-colored Bauhaus style 1930's wood-burning stove at the center of the lounge area for warmth in the colder months.

Moving outside, Bauhaus has 25 square meters of 4mm thick, scratch resistant, self-cleaning polycrystalline UniSolar PVL-144 laminate, amorphous photovoltaic panels rated at 1.7kW, housed on the starboard side (ideally facing south) and roof. Although the UK is not renowned for an abundance of bright sunshine, the designer claims that the panels produce an average of 1,400 kWh of free electricity per annum - enough for over 2,000 km (1,242 miles) of gentle cruising up and down London's canal system, and juice for the lighting and appliances (including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and cooker) within.

The PV panels on the side are also said to take advantage of sunlight reflected off the surface of the water, so light hits the panels from two angles which "will provide you, particularly in mornings and evenings, with more power per square meter than with roof panels alone."

In fact, Bauhaus is said to be capable of producing so much energy during the summer that it's possible to sell the excess electricity.

"Even on a cloudy May day, the PV system can generate over 6kWh," the designer told Gizmag. He does go on to say, though, that the winter months are obviously not so productive and Bauhaus needs to be connected to shoreline power just like other year-round boats.

The designer claims that the panels produce enough power for over 2,000 km of gentle cruising up and down London's canal system
The designer claims that the panels produce enough power for over 2,000 km of gentle cruising up and down London's canal system

The panels are routed through a FLEXmax 60 charge controller from Outback Power to the onboard battery bank, made up of 24 wet lead acid cells manufactured by Chloride at 2V/930Ah each, which should "last at least 10 years if properly maintained, its exactly the same as your car battery - just 20 times the size."

The batteries are contained in a custom-made, airtight stainless steel container mounted in the center of the boat and ventilated using stainless steel tubes through the roof - total weight is reported to be 1.2 metric tons (1.32 U.S. tons). The total capacity at 50 percent discharge is around 22kWh and is converted to 230 V AC electricity by an 8kW Studer Xtender XTH 8000-48 inverter, which can also be used as a charger (although there is a Victron Skyller charger on board).

A single charge of the monster battery bank has supplied the Agni Lynch 143 series DC electric motor (which has peak power of 10 horsepower at 48V) with enough power to provide the designer and his family with around 50km (31 miles) of gentle cruising at around 30 percent power, which will get Bauhaus to walking speed or a bit faster (about 5 km/h or 3.1 mph). A 21-inch (533mm) diameter phosphor bronze propeller with a pitch of 27 inches (685 mm) and rudder are mounted below the bottom of the steel flat bottom hull, to further increase the craft's efficiency.

If Bauhaus seems a little on the plain side, it's because money was invested in decent insulation and reliable, proven technology rather than the decorative carvings and custom paint jobs seen on other painted strumpets chugging up and down Britain's canal systems. The designer is also quick to point out that although Bauhaus offers the potential for zero emission cruising and living, there is no guarantee that this will be the case. Much depends on how energy-conservation-minded its occupants are.

Bauhaus - said to have been named in honor of the German Arts and Crafts school which was closed down by the Nazis in 1933, as well as the popular UK rock band formed in 1978 - is restricted to broad beam waterways capable of taking craft up to about 14 feet (4.31 meters) wide, like the Grand Union Canal where it's currently moored.

The solar panels are said to provide enough free electricity for the lighting and appliances, including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and cooker
The solar panels are said to provide enough free electricity for the lighting and appliances, including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and cooker

Unfortunately, the combination of a growing family and the associated difficulties and dangers of trying to push a pram, cycle and/or walk up and down an often narrow access path with little children in tow - together with impracticalities of getting from its mooring location to work, nursery, school, and shops - meant that Bauhaus was listed for sale.

The promotional torch of self-sufficient canal life has now been handed to the new owners, so to speak, who already have plans to film a video for YouTube. The original designer's Bauhaus Barge website (see source link) will remain online for the foreseeable future to "keep the debate on sustainability going, and hopefully somebody will approach me to get involved in another Bauhaus-type boat build."

Technology has, of course, moved at quite a pace since the start of the project two years ago - PV panels have become more efficient and cheaper, for example, there are better and lighter battery solutions to be had, and those thinking about a life on the nation's canal system in a Bauhaus clone might also consider supplementing the solar power generation with a small wind turbine.

Watch out for more news on the solar-powered Bauhaus Barge in the coming months.

Bauhaus barge a solar powered Hausboot

Source: Bauhaus Barge

View gallery - 22 images
10 comments
10 comments
Jay Finke
looks like that baby needs a hot foot .. vaa room
iWonder
If you ask the price - you can't afford it. But I still want to know.
OPa_Infinity
Excellent idea! However, I must ask, with all that water flowing by and even moderate wave action, why no use hydro power?
Jansen Estrup
Fine idea ... bound to cut down on river pollution if enough convert and/or buy - is there a new industry here for inter-coastal waterways around this country? Imagine the 'boat people' of the world with self contained solar powered, composting toilets and water purifiers ...
YukonJack
Ya, this has long been a dream of mine if I ever win the big lotto. Park one of these in the River Main in Frankfurt Germany.
Bryan Paschke
They missed a bet: they need a way to harness flowing water when it's moored. That said, I want one. :)
mogden
They didn't miss a bet on harvesting water power. unfortunately there is little or no current on most of the canals I know.
kellory
It is an interesting concept, but they did miss out on several different power collection systems. There is room to basically double the solar collection, harvesting water power would nor work well, ir could only work while traveling and that would cause more drag, this thing only moves at a walking pace as it is. Wind works against something this large on water, but a vertical axis wind turbine could collect power to offset the effects of wind on such are large profile. This type of craft could not be used on anything, except calm water, it doesn't have enough thrust to work against choppy seas, sea breezes, and would likely have trouble countering the tide. This thing will swim like a floating dock driven by a trolling motor. They could also have added a retractable mast for using a sail when it would help or in emergency. A portable vertical axis wind turbine, could be used when moored as well. Excess power to be sold off to offset the cost of the build. also this quote"the onboard battery bank, made up of 24 wet lead acid cells manufactured by Chloride at 2V/930Ah each, which should "last at least 10 years if properly maintained, its exactly the same as your car battery - just 20 times the size." Wrong kind of battery to use (IMO) lead acid batteries (for cars) produce gasses, and are designed to operate at max voltage, not to be charged and discharged. These should have been deep cycle, gelcells, LiIon, or any number of maintenance free, spill proof, rechargeables. Also the heat differential between the below water bilges and the living spaces could also produce thermo-elestric power. But overall, and interesting idea.
Dawar Saify
Britain still has some sunshine, my concern is the width. If it was redesigned and the width was 7 feet, it could travel through 90 percent of England's water ways, and their is still some exposure to sunshine as solar panels require light, not heat. It can still be made luxurious with 7 feet width. Under floor heating can be replaced by regular side or skirt heating to save energy,
kellory
Reducing it's width would make it highly unstable and top heavy. It would roll over in the slightest breeze.