Inside Solid State Marine | The Future of Batteries for Boats

Collin Simmons

03 Oct 2025 — 2 min read

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Solid State Marine for an exclusive factory tour with Founder & CEO Tom Calef. This was one of the most fascinating deep dives I’ve ever done into marine technology, because it wasn’t just about batteries — it was about the future of energy at sea.

From the moment we stepped into the cleanroom, to watching laser welding and hands-on assembly, I was blown away by how much precision goes into building a truly safe, long-lasting marine battery.

⚡ Why Solid State Batteries Matter for Boating

Most of us are familiar with traditional lead-acid or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄ / LFP) batteries. They’ve powered our boats for decades — but they also come with limits: weight, safety concerns, and shorter lifespans.

Tom explained how solid-state technology changes the game:

Higher energy density (more power in less space).
Better safety (reduced fire risk vs lithium).
Longer lifespan (thousands of cycles — tested up to 3,500).
Integration with marine systems like Victron and NMEA2000.

For cruisers, liveaboards, and anyone off-grid, that means more reliable power, less maintenance, and fewer compromises.

🎥 Watch the Full Tour

You can watch the entire factory tour here, including Tom’s explanations and all the behind-the-scenes footage:

🔬 Behind the Scenes at the Factory

The tour gave me a behind-the-scenes look at every step of the process:

Cell construction in the cleanroom – precision at the smallest level.
Packing & structure – how cells are arranged for durability.
Laser welding & quality control – ensuring long-term reliability.
Battery management system (BMS) – monitoring performance & safety.
Stress testing – simulating extreme marine conditions.

I was especially fascinated at how graphene plays a role in the design, and the way they’re tackling dendrite formation — one of the biggest challenges in battery chemistry.

🛠️ Real-World Implications for Cruisers

As a sailor myself, I immediately thought about what this could mean aboard Bliss:

More solar efficiency with a bigger energy buffer.
Longer stretches off-grid without a generator.
A real step forward in safety at sea, especially compared to lithium-ion risks.

This isn’t just about having more power — it’s about making boat life simpler, safer, and more sustainable.

🌊 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a cruiser, liveaboard, or weekend sailor, the way we think about marine energy is about to change. Solid-state batteries aren’t just a lab experiment anymore — they’re being designed and built specifically for our environment.

Huge thanks to Tom Calef and the Solid State Marine team for letting us take a peek behind the curtain!