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  Channel NewsAsia 5 Aug 06
Solar-powered boat launched at London's Hyde Park
By Channel NewsAsia's Europe Correspondent Catherine Drew

LONDON : One of the world's most technology advanced boats has been launched on a lake in London.

The Serpentine Solar Shuttle, a passenger ferry, is powered only by the sun and emits no pollutants; it is being hailed as a model for the future of transport.

Ten years in the making, this solar vessel is in a class of its own. It is powered by 27 solar panels, which gather the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity that powers the engines.

At London's Hyde Park, its quiet and pollution-free engines mean it has little impact on the wildlife.

Of course the big question, particularly pertinent in London, is: Does the boat stop, when the sun goes in?

Said Claudio Ripol, project manager at Solarlab, "That's quite a common question actually. The fact is that the technology has evolved quite a lot and these days the cells work with general light, so they don't rely on direct sunlight. That means on a cloudy day the boat still generates more energy than it needs to run." When at rest, the surplus energy it produces can be sold back to the national grid.

The boat did not come cheap at US$450,000; however, owner Peter Scott says this is a long-term investment. Said Mr Scott, "It's about 20 to 35 percent more than a conventional diesel vessel. It has zero impact on the environment. Apart from the cost of manufacturing the batteries and the cost of the steel in the first place, my ongoing costs - I think the most expensive item is going to be myself as the captain, that is to say the crew. And apart from that, it's going to be very economical to run."

The boat's designers are now working on a larger ferry for the river Thames, as well as a solar-powered train and solar-powered rickshaws. Many believe the possibilities are endless, and that this shuttle has global implications; certainly, some of the first passengers seem impressed.

"I think it's very great, because it's not damaging to the environment. I think it's going to be fantastic," one passenger said. "I think it's fantastic. The ride is very smooth. It's a very light boat; I think the design is fantastic," another said.

It is ironic perhaps that London, a city known for its often bad weather, could become a world leader in solar energy, but the designers of this boat are hoping that this is only just the beginning of solar powered transport. - CNA /ct
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