| Ship of the Future? A Solar Sail Boat. |
| Written by Hank Green | ||
| Tuesday, 09 October 2007 | ||
|
The Solar Sailor is a ferry that transports people around Sydney harbor using about half has much fuel as it would need without its solar panel-covered wings. The wings are movable to allow the panels to track the sun when it's sunny. Or, if more energy can be gained from the wind, they can act as traditional sails. Finally, when weather is too rough for the sails to be out, they simply flatten against the ferry and the diesel motor takes over. The Solar Sailor first started tooling around Sydney five years ago during the Olympics. But, so far, the idea hasn't spread. There is talk, however, of a similar design taking over tourist trips to the Statue of Liberty! Via Inhabitat
Comments
(4)
Truly amazing ...
written by A Siege , October 10, 2007
and, well, embarassing ... this has been around five years and I don't think I've seen mention of it before.
...
written by Ben , October 11, 2007
London has a solar ferry, in hyde park, not bit but its there
...
written by Campbell , October 18, 2007
the Statue of Liberty deal fell through......but, this same technology (solar cells to drive electric motors and propellors.....backed up with bio-diesel) will be used for FLYING.
giant airships have the room needed for enough solar cells to power them, and airships can fly on bio-diesel; which airplanes cannot do. it is the future of flight!
Nerdfighterly!
written by Lynn , October 25, 2007
That's so cool! Last month I did my monthly current event for SS on A Floating Solar Island for the UAE, and now I am doing the current event on this article. Deffo a sailboat of the future (or present).
| ||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Science, technology gadgets and...baby seals. We're in a bit of an eco-mess, but we've got the brains to lick any problem. And that's why EcoGeek.org publishes up to ten stories daily about innovations that are saving the planet.
And if that sounds interesting to you, then congratulations, you're an EcoGeek.
Well, it's not unusual to see wind-powered boats. But it is strange to see sails in an entirely new form...and also, to see them covered in photovoltaic cells.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
