Solar-powered boat completes Atlantic voyage

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - A Swiss-built solar-powered vessel arrived in New York City recently on what the group behind the project said was the first sun-powered voyage across the Atlantic.

Dubbed "sun21," the catamaran reached North Cove Marina after a journey of six months and some 13,000 kilometres from Chipiona, Spain, to the Caribbean island Martinique and then along the U.S. East Coast to New York, the Switzerland-based group transatlantic21 said in a statement.

The organization said the 14 metre-boat produced 2,000 kilowatt hours of solar energy during its voyage thanks to a roof of photovoltaic panels mounted above the twin-hulled design.

The solar energy was used to power the boat's electric motors and any surplus was stored in batteries, allowing it to travel at a constant speed of five to six knots (10 to 12 kilometres an hour) day or night, the group's website said.

The group said this shows the crossing can be made entirely without fuel, a claim which could not be independently verified.

"This proves that in our modern society it is indeed possible to travel the world efficiently and still safeguard the environment," said the boat's skipper, Michael Thonney.

Related News

commercial electricity meter

B.C. Commercial electricity consumption plummets during COVID-19 pandemic

VANCOUVER - Businesses are taking advantage of a BC Hydro relief fund that allows electricity bills for commercial properties to be waived during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 3,000 applications have already been filed since the program launched on Wednesday, allowing commercial properties forced to shutter during the crisis to waive the expense for up to three months. 

“To be eligible for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, business customers must be on BC Hydro’s small general service rate and have temporarily closed or ceased operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” BC Hydro said in a statement. “BC Hydro estimates that around 40,000 small…

READ MORE
powerlines

Kyiv warns of 'difficult' winter after deadly strikes

READ MORE

climate change denial

$1 billion per year is being spent to support climate change denial

READ MORE

Despite delays, BC Hydro says crews responded well to 'atypical' storm

READ MORE

solar power

Energy-insecure households in the U.S. pay 27% more for electricity than others

READ MORE