Methods, systems, and apparatuses for solar energy collection for marine vessels

An apparatus for collecting solar energy for a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• multiple solar panel sections, comprising a plurality of solar panels;
• multiple floating structures coupled to each of the multiple solar panel sections, wherein each floating structure comprises a hull that is shaped to reduce hydrodynamic drag while multiple floating structures are trailed on a water surface behind the marine vessel;
• and
• a support structure connected with each of the multiple floating structures and the solar panel section, wherein the multiple floating structures are longitudinally positioned and support the solar panel sections while trailing the solar panel sections about the water surface;
• wherein the multiple solar panel sections are separate independently floating sections interconnected via wiring to one another.

An apparatus for collecting solar energy for a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• multiple solar panels configured to transform between a plurality of configurations, including a deployed configuration and a stored configuration;
• multiple floating structures coupled with each of the multiple of solar panels;
• and
• a storage system configured for storing the multiple solar panels in the stored configuration;
• wherein in the deployed configuration, the multiple solar panels and the multiple floating structures are configured to trail behind a stern portion of the marine vessel on a surface of water and form a trailing platform behind the marine vessel, wherein the trailing platform is configured to be operatively tethered to the stern portion of the marine vessel;
• wherein in the stored configuration, the multiple solar panels are configured to be stored in the storage system in or on the marine vessel, and the plurality of solar panels are configured to be compacted together and disposed in the storage system.