From a distance, the
yellow-and-blue ferry docking at the pier resembles the scores of other vessels
that hop between Hong Kong's outlying islands and the peninsula every day.
But
a closer look as passengers disembark reveals a grid of gleaming solar panels
on the ferry's roof and, instead of the usual throbbing engine noise, there is
a barely audible buzz.
The
Solar Eagle and three similar vessels shuttle golfers to tee off on an 18-hole
island course. Together they form the world's first hybrid powered ferry fleet
and a commercial proving ground for technology that could transform the future
of marine travel.
Electricity
created by the solar panels and stored in a battery powers the engine while the
vessel comes in and out of the harbor. Once out in the open ocean and a faster
clip is required, the diesel kicks in.
One
of the fleet, the Solar Albatross, sports two sails covered in solar panels
that can be raised to harness both the sun and the wind to further reduce
reliance on fossil fuel.
Robert
Dane, Solar Sailor's founder, says that the technology offers ship owner huge
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 ships.
"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."
