23 July 2010: This nv sun cover protects the whole steering station area and its occupants from UV rays during mooring and at sea.

The nv fixed biminitop protecting the crew from UV converts to “intelligent” solar protection thanks to 2 photovoltaic panels of 1m2 and 50 watts each. This innovative asset provides a supplementary supply of clean energy onboard.

>

Awareness of limitations in sailing today with regard to onboard energy and the striving for clean renewable energies has led Lagoon, world leader in catamaran cruiser construction and the first builder of hybrid propulsion catamarans in September 2006, Dickson, world leader in industrial textiles distributed under the Dickson® and Sunbrella® brands, and nvequipment, European leader in Outdoor Boat Protection to bring together their skills in this field to present a major breakthrough in the world of sailing: PHOTOVOLTAIC SUN PROTECTION

It has taken 3 years of research for Dickson to incorporate a photovoltaic feature into the top quality Marine Sunbrella® Plus fabrics which has actually transformed the panel surface area into a source of clean energy for vessel use. The nv fixed Biminitop which protects the crew from UV rays has thus been transformed into an “intelligent” solar protection thanks to 2 photovoltaic panels of 1m2 and 50 Watts each, nevertheless retaining their practicality and good styling.

True to their convictions in term of quality, styling and comfort in their boats, Lagoon has chosen to offer their customers to take full advantage of this innovative asset which provides additional clean onboard energy as from next season.

At the next Cannes Show (8 - 13 September 2010), the Bimini-top of the exhibited Lagoon 620 will be fitted with a photovoltaic acrylic fabric developed by Dickson and installed on a fixed Biminitop designed by nvequipment. This major innovation has already been undergoing sailing trials since the month of June. This partnership underlines the dedication of the Lagoon, Dickson and nvequipment brands in the search for “clean” answers to the demands of today’s sailing consumer.

# # #



About Dickson:
Today, the Dickson group, jewel of the “French top range” textile industry, is known as the worldwide reference for outdoor
fabrics. Becoming part of the American leading brand Gen Raven in 1998 the company markets its products under two outstanding brand names, DICKSON and SUNBRELLA, renown in the fields of marine leisure sector, architecture and design.

Innovation in textiles represents the driving force in the growth of the group, allowing it to diversify its range through the development of a large variety of high performance fabrics. Among its ground-breaking products the prototype of a photovoltaic cloth, revealed to the press in 2008, today finds its first commercial application in the field of marine leisure sector with the photovoltaic bimini-top, provider of renewable energy.www.dickson-constant.com

Press contact:
Mot Compte Double - Alexandra Breyne - abreyne@motcomptedouble.fr
Tel: + 33 (0)6 30 81 90 17

About Lagoon:
Created in 1984, Lagoon, originally a small company of enthusiasts, has now become the world leader in catamaran cruisers, its worldwide distributors numbering more than 70. Lagoon is part of CNB, a company of the BENETEAU group (world leader in sailing vessels), and offers a complete range of catamaran cruisers from 38 to 62 ft designed by the naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP). The Lagoon range is frequently renewed to keep up with customer expectations and the latest developments in naval architecture and the water sports industry.
The key words for the all Lagoon models are space, comfort, handling and performance. More than 25 years of experience not only guarantees the seriousness of the company but is also proof of the huge capacity for innovation and novelty: 2010 has seen the birth of two new Lagoon models, the 450 and 560, which will be present at the boat shows as from autumn of this year.

www.cata-lagoon.com
CNB Lagoon contact :
Joël Jarrijon - j.jarrijon@cnb.fr
Tel: +33 (0)557 80 76 01
About nvequipment


Through its extensive know-how, nvequipment, European leader in Outdoor Protection for sailing and power boats in more than 40 countries, offers protected areas on the vessel decks as well as a collection of high technology covers perfectly adapted to each area concerned. At the forefront in design and constantly looking for new high performance solutions, nvequipment, has been able to adapt its techniques thanks to the many links developed over the years with sailers who navigate the world over in all seasons and weather.

More than 30 years experience in the sailing industry have made nvequipment a trustworthy industrial partner and a truly exemplary brand in the European sailing world.

www.nvequipment.com
nvequipment contact :
Laure Martin - lmartin@nvequipment.com
Tel: +33(0)2 51 55 60 78

ABOUT CNB LAGOON:
Created in 1984, Lagoon, originally a small company of enthusiasts, has now become the world leader in catamaran cruisers, its worldwide distributors numbering more than 70. Lagoon is part of CNB, a

- END -