Carried by Wind, Salt and Patience
May 18, 2026
Aegean Cargo Sailing has completed the world’s first installation of a complete protective canopy made from third-generation photovoltaics, aboard PELAGO — the world’s first solar-electric cargo sailing vessel.
The photovoltaic films were developed and manufactured by Organic Electronic Technologies (OET) in Thessaloniki, Greece, through the world’s first industrial-scale production of organic, flexible and transparent photovoltaics offering UV and infrared protection.
Two different technologies — FUTURA and APOLLO — have been installed aboard PELAGO.
The collaboration between Aegean Cargo Sailing and OET brings a new generation of solar technology into the sailing world. By integrating lightweight photovoltaic surfaces directly into the vessel’s protective canopy, the technology can generate clean energy while simultaneously providing shade and protection on board.
PELAGO is now demonstrating this technology in a real maritime environment, with potential applications extending beyond cargo sailing to sailing and pleasure vessels worldwide.
More on the technology and its wider deployment soon.
