This paper was to investigate the potential benefits of solar panel systems if applied for obtaining propulsion power of a short route ferry operating in the Marmara Sea. The life cycle assessment was applied to evaluate the long-term environmental impact of the solar power systems on-board in replace of conventional diesel engine systems. The cost and benefit of such systems were evaluated through the economic assessment where the life cycle cost relative to installation, operation and recycling of the solar panels, fuel savings and payback time were considered. Research findings revealed the payback time would be around three years, whereas the accumulative fuel cost saving would be over $300,000 by the end of vessel life. The sensitivity analysis using two varying parameters - energy efficiency and investment cost - implied, that the longer payback time would be positively associated with lower energy efficiencies and higher investment costs. It was also suggested that the marginal cost of the carbon credit should be $ 190 per tonne or higher to make the shipping business successful.

本文旨在研究如果将太阳能电池板系统用于获得在马尔马拉海运营的短途渡轮的推进力的潜在好处。生命周期评估用于评估船上太阳能系统对传统柴油发动机系统的替代对长期环境的影响。通过经济评估对此类系统的成本和收益进行了评估，其中考虑了与太阳能电池板的安装，操作和回收有关的生命周期成本，燃料节省和投资回收期。研究结果表明，投资回收期约为三年，而到船舶使用寿命结束时，累计节省的燃料成本将超过30万美元。隐含使用两个可变参数（能源效率和投资成本）进行敏感性分析，较长的投资回收期将与较低的能源效率和较高的投资成本成正比。还建议碳信用额度的边际成本应为每吨190美元或更高，以使运输业务成功。