June, 2010

The World’s Biggest Solar Powered Boat

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Türanor-Planet Solar

Weighing in at 85 tons, the Türanor-Planet Solar was launched in Germany March 31st 2010. Following will be a promotional tour of Europe featuring a visit to Hamburg’s birthday celebration.

It is touted as being the largest solar driven catamaran (multi hull) on the planet. It is 31 meters (34.1 yards or 102.3 feet) long and 15 meters wide (16.5 yards or 49.5 feet). It is scheduled for a world circumnavigation in April 2011. A two man crew will attempt to chase the sun in order to capture as much available solar power as possible and navigate her at an average speed of 7.5 knots.

It is topped by scores of photovoltaic panels with a total area of 600 meters or 2160 square feet that cover most of the catamaran’s surface! Additional panels are attached to outriggers on its starboard, port and stern sections that can be retracted in stormy weather. The solar energy, which will be stored in the largest lithium ion battery in the world, will power the vessel’s silent, pollution-free electric motor.

Solar Boats

Friday, June 18th, 2010
Solar Sailor

This solar powered boat operates in Sydney Australia as a passenger ferry. Pollution free boats- WOW!

Boats are among the biggest fuel guzzlers of all time… right up there with  Hummers and Tanks.

This is a passenger boat that is powered by wind and solar energy. It has movable wing- like solar panels that act as sails.

Since it is Hybrid, it can run on wind, sun, battery, diesel or any combination of these.

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This is The Solar Shuttle, designed by SolarLab founder Christoph Behling. It is the UK’s largest and most advanced solar boat. It carries 42 passengers in all daylight conditions, has reserve power for night-time running and even generates surplus energy that can be fed back into the national grid.

It operates on the ecologically-fragile Serpentine Lake in one of the oldest parks in the world, London’s Hyde Park.

Tesla & Toyota Partnership looks like a winner

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda and Tesla CEO Elon Musk in front of the Tesla model 'S'

 

Arnold in front of the Tesla model 'S'.

 

Tesla model 'S' studio shot

 

Tesla Roadster

 

Tesla paid $42 million dollars to purchase the former NUMMI pant (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc) in Silicon Valley, and includes 207 acres which is about 55% of the site and includes all manufacturing facilities there. 

As part of the deal with Tesla, Toyota has agreed to buy $50 million worth of stock in Tesla’s IPO (initial public offering). 

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