A Swiss crew is set to challenge the Atlantic, for a change, not with a fuel-powered boat but with a solar-powered boat, ‘sun21‘that is fabricated by MW-Line SA, a Swiss company.
The journey across the Atlantic will set in motion in December 2006 in Seville, Spain and ends up in New York, US, covering the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the West Indies and Florida, about 7000 miles, which will cost around CHF 700,000 or $556,000 or €440,000.
Powered by photovoltaic (solar) energy, solar modules, batteries and motors, sun21 can touch the speed of 5-6 knots or 10-12 km/h; will be the first solar vessel ever to cross the Atlantic. The boat is 14 m long, 6.5 m wide and provides enough space for 5 to 6 persons to lie around.
Of course, to complete the journey successfully will be a great achievement; the noble reason behind the voyage is to encourage solar boats and energy as an environmental friendly potential energy.
Via: blogs.zdnet
