Scientists are exploring the potential of installing solar panels on cruise ship cabins to help cut emissions and boost energy efficiency. A team from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) ran simulations to see just how much power these balcony-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels could generate. The results? Pretty impressive. Based on test cruises in the Caribbean and along Norway’s coast, the panels could provide between 3.2 and 3.8 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy per day—enough to significantly reduce a ship’s reliance on traditional fuels.

This push for greener cruising comes as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightens emissions goals. By 2030, the IMO aims to slash annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% (with an ambitious 30% target), ramping up to a 70–80% reduction by 2040. To get there, cruise lines are exploring everything from battery storage to energy-efficient onboard grids—and now, balcony solar panels might be part of the mix.

While this is still in the research phase, the study suggests solar power could be a game-changer for cruise ships. So, in the not-so-distant future, your cruise cabin might not just offer an ocean view, it could also be an energy-efficient powerhouse. 

The results were presented in the International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems