Dti Solar Boat News - ETSU: SOLAR CATAMARAN 

John Cobb was a true design genius and record breaking contender

SOLAR POWER RULES THE WAVES

A boat designed and built in the UK has become the first vessel to cross the English Channel powered only by electricity produced from photovoltaic (PV) cells. The SB Collinda, a 6m-long catamaran with a top speed of 6mph, completed the trip between Dover and Calais in just over seven hours. Its 20 solar panels produce 1.4kW of electricity and were supplied by Intersolar Group of High Wycombe.  It is unclear how this claim marries with the efforts of Don Wood and Southampton University's Solent crossing in 1998.

The boat, which cost £25,000 to build, is the brainchild of businessman Malcolm Moss. Its Channel crossing demonstrates the potential contribution solar power could make to a growth in pollution-free boating over the coming years; in this context, PV-powered craft have an advantage over other electric boats in that they can be charged anywhere and do not need cables or charging points. The building of the SB Collinda was prompted by the successful launch of a solar-powered ferry in Udaipur, India, which carries 16 people and operates for 12 hours a day purely on solar energy.  The parasol design is similar to that employed by schoolboy James when converting his Action Man inflatable toy to solar power.

NEW REVIEW is produced by ETSU on behalf of the DTI. Views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Government or the views of ETSU.  Neither the DTI nor ETSU endorses any of the products or services featured in NEW REVIEW. Please address correspondence to: Dr Barry Hague, Editor - NEW REVIEW, ETSU, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RA. For more information about the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme, contact: New and Renewable Energy Enquiries Bureau, ETSU, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RA; Tel 01235 432450/433601, Fax: 01235 433066

This website is copyright © 1991- 2014 Electrick Publications. All rights reserved. The bird logo and names Solar Navigator and Blueplanet Ecostar are trademarks ™.  The Blueplanet vehicle configuration is registered ®.  All other trademarks hereby acknowledged and please note that this project should not be confused with the Australian: 'World Solar Challenge'™which is a superb road vehicle endurance race from Darwin to Adelaide.  Max Energy Limited is an educational charity working hard to promote world peace.

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