The world's first solar sail was unfurled on August 18th, as part of Nantucket's Race Week. Explorer Robert Swan will be using the groundbreaking sail on his sail boat ‘2041', currently on an around-the-world journey to raise awareness on climate change.
The sail features thin-film solar cells that charge the 200lb battery that runs the boat's motor. The solar cells are arranged in twelve panels integrated into each side of the main sail. The sail is unusual in itself, being made out of recycled plastic bottles.
Dye-sensitized thin-film solar cells are a lightweight, durable alternative to silicon solar cells. They are now being manufactured commercially for the first time by UK based solar company G24 Innovations using a high volume roll-to-roll process. They remain usable in low light conditions, making all kinds of indoor applications possible. Being flexible, they can also be integrated into clothing, tents, or in this case, sails.
Using them in the sail of the ‘2041' has been a unique opportunity to test the technology in a variety of weather conditions. This was taken to the extreme in April with a two-week trip to Antarctica using only renewable energy sources. Swan reports that he was "extremely impressed" with how well the cells functioned on the trip. "I believe that this is just a hint of the potential of this technology."
Robert Swan is a polar explorer and the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles. He is currently on a five year global mission called ‘Voyage for Cleaner Energy', which will call at ports all around the world with its mobile exhibition centre, the 67 foot sailboat ‘2041'. As well as its innovative sail, the boat features wind turbines, an engine that runs on biofuels, and a host of other green technologies. The name is taken from the date that the treaty on Antarctica expires. Under current international law it is protected, and cannot be exploited for resources. In 2041 that will be reviewed.
If you want to catch the ‘2041', it leaves Nantucket today for New York. By 2012 it will have visited Europe, Russia, India and China. See 2041.com for more information.
Further Reading:
- Concentrating Solar - Now Safe For Roof Tops
- Nature Inspires Solar Power Revolution
- Solar Powered Car Arrives on the West Coast to Take in the Sun and Spread Renewable Technology Gospel
- Utah's Solar Fired Furnace to Power California for Less Than the Cost of Coal or Gas
- Nanosolar Update - First Panels Now Shipping
