Solar Boat model by Jorma Ponkala

In the Rauma Art Museum exhibition, Jorma Ponkala's model of a solar boat (said to be under construction) was presented as a model in 1997.  The boat's materials compose a layered structure in which injected polystyrene foam is used as core material.  Interior and exterior surfaces are made of fiberglass and epoxy. Because of the materials and structure, the boat is unsinkable. It has excellent stability and is nearly self-righting.

Aurinokvene, Solar Boat, model 125 x 40 x 28

As and when this model is constructed full size, it is hoped solar panels will produce sufficient energy for propulsion and cooking. Hence, no fossil fuels will be needed. Wind power can be utilized also via a kite sail.  In ideal conditions, its solar power in Finland is estimated to be sufficient for 100 km in 24 hours.
                 
                 
                 
                

PROPOSED SPECIFICATIONS:

Length: 7.75 m. Width: 2.35 m. Depth: 0.25. Weight: less than 900 kg. Electric outboard motor: 1000 W. Cruising speed: 5 knots. Towing power: 340 W. Solar panels: 10  80 W and 8  50W Solar Wind, Muurla. Battery energy per charge: sufficient for 200 km.

CONTACT :

Jorma Ponkala, Ylökyläntie 32, 25610 Ylönkylä, Finland

LINKS :

• Solartis, Solarboats builder in Besançon, France

• ZHolar, new solarboat on Zurich lake, Switzerland

• Projet Lestrheol France

• MWline à Yvonand Switzerland

• Institute of Electrical Energy Technology Germany

• KOPF-Solardesign  GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.

• Solar Storm England

• Solar passengers boat "Sonnenschein" Austria

• Ecocats builder of solar boats England

• Solar Narrow Boat Company England
  

In the USA -

Solar Boats Built by Engineering Students Wins National Competition

Mailing list for Solar BoatsWorld championship of solar-electric regata

In Canada -  

Solarboat projectSolar kit for boat

In Australia -

Solar Sailor

In Japan -

First Solar Pacific Crossing

Free time with solarboats :

In Germany :  Walking with solarboats in Nordhorn

Energy - Environement

Planair in La Sagne Switzerland.

Solar energy links

SSES, Société Suisse Energie Solaire Switzerland

Service cantonal de l'Energie, Neuchâtel Switzerland

Futurebike, Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) Switzerland

Swissolar Switzerland

Solarserver Germany

Solarpolis Germany

A lot of links in Austria

Another Solar Navigator (test rig) heading into wind - the latest

design in soon to be on display for the Jules Verne Solar Trophy

Healthier alternative tastes for adventure capitalists

Solar Red | Solar Crush | Solar Cola | Solar Spice | Solar +