1BOG loves seeing solar in new places. We recently read about a completely solar powered yacht that will set sail on a round the world trip next year. PlanetSolar is a catamaran featuring a 103 kW solar array provides fives times the energy the ship needs to run.
A beacon of environmentalism, during the trip, the boat will make multiple stops around the world. The skipper, Raphael Domjan, is committed to sustainability and has long sought a way to sail around the world using minimal energy. Domjan also plans to use this trip to illustrate how solar can be used in shipping. Shipping is the primary way the world transports good and is responsible for over 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. We have yet to help a nautical 1BOGer to go solar, but if this idea can further solar adoption, 1BOG is all for it.
One of the PlanetSolar stops is San Francisco – 1BOG will definitely be there to check it out!
March 13th, 2010 at 7:04 PM
I’m not much convinced with solar boats. Is it better than sailing? Men have have been sailing all over the world for more than 3,000 years. Also, you can get much more power from a sail than from solar panels.
March 30th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
I’m actually glad I found this post. I’ve been looking for info on solar energy for awhile.Looking forward to reading through more posts about energy.
March 31st, 2011 at 4:15 AM
huh? provides 5x the energy it needs to run? what sense does that make, and how is it helping the environment? Ok, ‘5x what it needs to run at its average speed’…that’s a little more reasonable.
and, there appears to be nowhere to stand on the deck…
Given the toxicity issues surrounding PV production, especially from Chinese manufacturers, let’s not be too flip about how beneficial they are.
Wouldn’t it be better to use wind turbines? Maybe with really big blades so the resistance could push the ship? Maybe sail-like blades made out of cloth? or maybe just sails? ;)
Here’s a thought exercise: how much solar would you need to make a dent in the energy consumption of an actual shipping vessel? And how would you apply it? The deck of a oil tanker might be possible (though tricky), but a container ship doesn’t seem feasible. An aircraft carrier has the surface, but it can’t be used that way… As crazy as it looks, ‘kite’ sails are probably better. And better impeller design, among other options, likely have better payback…?