The Solar Sailor is a 21.5 meters long boat with a draft of 1.2 meters. It is equipped with long, broad, lightweight wing modules covered with waterproofed solar cells. The Solar Sailor s wings are 938 x 785 x 4mm and weigh 3.5 kg. The cells on the wings are made of mono-crystalline BP Saturn Cells and there are 42 cells per module. The wings are pivotally mounted and the wing design allows the panels to be aligned in order to take best advantage of the wind and sun.
Solar power creates forward drive from an electric motor, which in turn creates 'relative wind'.
The Solar Sailor runs on solar energy, batteries, and wind power. In very strong winds, the wings can be folded down. The Solar Sailor can hold 100 passengers and requires two crew members. For more information, contact Solar Sailor Pty Ltd. Emission Reductions and Environmental Significance By tapping renewable solar and wind energy, the Solar Sailor does not emit harmful air pollution. A smaller functioning prototype, the Majorie K, was successfully launched at the Advanced Technology Boat Race in Caberra in April 1997.