SOLAR panels help power the world's first hybrid ferries in Hong Kong, designed by Australia's Solar Sailor, reports the BBC News.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which runs the golf course on Kau Sai Chau island, says its has seen "significant fuel savings", but was still monitoring the overall performance of the ferries.
Robert Dane, Solar Sailor's founder, said that on the golf course-run, the hybrid technology saves eight per cent or 17 per cent on the fuel bill, depending on the route taken. However, repair and maintenance costs have been more than expected.
"The Jockey Club is a new operator so there's a learning curve for them and the new technology," he said.
Mr Dane says that the technology offers fuel savings and has the potential to be used on all types of vessels from humble ferries and luxury super-yachts to bulk carriers shipping iron ore and navy patrol boats.
"I think in 50 to 100 years, all ships will have solar sails," he says. "It just makes so much sense. You're out there on the water and there's so much light bouncing around and there's a lot more energy in the wind than in the sun."
He says he is in the "early stages" of talks with Hong Kong's Star Ferry, which has been shuttling across the harbour since 1880 about fitting solar panels on one of their vessels.
Mr Dane said his company will soon announce a trial with an Australian mining company to attach a 40-metre tall solar sail to a newly built bulk carrier that will ship iron ore and other raw materials to China.
Solar Sailor is in talks with an Australian mining company about installing a solar sail on a bulk carrier that transports iron ore and other raw materials. The sail, fitted with solar panels, can fold down into the vessel when docking and transferring cargo.
By harnessing the wind, the company estimates that the giant sail could shave 20 per cent to 40 per cent or A$3 million (US$3.1 million) off a ship's annual fuel bill when travelling at 16 knots (18 miles per hour), with the solar panels contributing an extra three to six per cent saving.
Three such ferries began operation in 2010 and the Solar Albatross began carrying passengers last year. The solar-sail technology is also in use in two ferries in Shanghai and Sydney.
WORLD SHIPPING
27 January 2012 - 00:00
Solar powered ferry comes to carry Hong Kong Jockey Club golfers
SOLAR panels help power the world's first hybrid ferries in Hong Kong, designed by Australia's Solar Sailor, reports the BBC News.
WORLD SHIPPING
27 January 2012 - 00:00
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