This amazing zero energy vessels features 537 square meters of photovoltaic cells and uses absolutely zero fuel. It is currently docked in Qatar as part of a round-the-world tour.
With its solar-powered 2022 world cup stadiums and numerous other developments, Qatar is striving hard to raise its portfolio as a leader in solar technology, so the MS Turanor Planet Solar’s presence at the Pearl pier in the country’s capital city Doha is no coincidence at all. But it is exciting.
The world’s largest zero emissions solar-powered vessel conceived by Swiss Engineer Raphael Domjan in 2004 and built in Germany boasts 537 square meters of photovoltaic cells that capture the sun’s energy to power its showers, lights, and refrigeration. It uses absolutely no fuel, and has been traveling the world since September last year, according to Gulf News.
The MS Turanor’s name means “The Power of the Sun” and was inspired by the Lord of the Rings fantasy novels, the paper reports, and features front and wear “wings” that expand and contract as needed to capture more or less of the sun’s rays. Sensors located on the rear wing can also track the sun, maximizing the amount of sunlight harvested.
With a capacity of 40 people, this incredible boat arrived in Qatar just before Christmas, and will remain there for as long as 3 weeks.
If you happen to be in the region, pop on down and take a look at the future of maritime transportation, and then send us your pics!
:: Gulf News
Read more on solar Qatar:
Qatari Man Invents Solar Generator
Qatar Accused of Bribing Their Way to Solar-Powered World Cup 2022
SLIDESHOW: Entries for Qatar’s 2022 Stadiums
World Cup 2022: Is Qatar Too Hot To Bid?
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Nothing is going to stop the ice caps from melting, but we should at least try to mitigate the worst.
This technology is wonderful, but it can’t stop the ice caps from melting as the newly exposed land and sea absorbs more heat from the sun.