The Köhlers are the founders of SILENT-YACHTS, and creator of the first and only ocean-going production yachts in the world which are fully solar sustainable and powered by solar energy.
Upon completing his University studies, Mr. Köhler practiced law for several years prior to transitioning to another profession and following his life-long interest in the marine industry. He immediately began his research to optimize the energy system on conventionally equipped yachts from a propane-based galley to fully electric and from ICE to an electric propulsion system.
Convinced that there had to be a better way to address a yacht´s energy supply and propulsion process, Michael and his wife, Heike Köhler, embarked on a four year program to test, analyze and review alternate sources of power, with emphasis on self-sufficient power supply and electric propulsion. For that purpose they equipped a testing vessel in 2005, cruised the Med and the Caribbean and even crossed the Atlantic Ocean to validate their findings.
In 2009, the Köhler’s developed the “Solarwave 46”, widely acknowledged as the first ocean-going yacht to power propulsion and all appliances exclusively by solar energy. They tested this unique yacht for another 4 years in all conditions and even cruised 12.000 NM powered purely by the sun – no generator, no shorepower.
During the last decade, Mr. and Mrs. Köhler has given 150 lectures the world over on energy supply and propulsion on yachts, in addition to publishing a book on the subject, titled “Energy Supply on Yachts”.
Based on this unique expertise, he has developed five solar-electric yacht models: Solarwave 46, SILENT 55, SILENT 60, SILENT 64 and SILENT 80. Since 2012, the founders and SILENT-YACHTS have received numerous awards for the innovation and commercial development of his concept, as well as global recognition for improving ocean health.
More than 1.000 articles and reports have appeared in worldwide publications and print media about Solarwave- and SILENT-YACHTS, and Mr. Köhler has been a featured guest on numerous radio and television shows discussing his revolutionary technology, many reports were broadcasted on international television about his Solarwave- and SILENT-YACHTS. He is universally recognized as perhaps the world´s leading authority on the application of solar technology to the yachting industry.
