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Eco Tractors: Open Energy to launch solar-powered tractor by 2010

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Eco Factor: Tractor powered by photovoltaic panels.

Austria-based Open Energy has stated that the company will be launching a tractor completely powered by the energy of the sun by 2010. The tractor will be powered by a 26-square meter solar panel, which will generate a modest 4KWs for tasks such as drilling and weeding.

The tractor will carry the photovoltaic panels on a rotating mount so that the position of the panels can be adjusted according to the position of the sun. The company has stated that the rotating mount would make the panels 40 percent more efficient when compared with fixed panels. The panels will generate more energy than what the tractor actually needs. This will enable the tractor to run constantly for about 36 hours on slower jobs such as watering or weeding. The company expects to launch the first prototype for Austrian farms by 2009, with sales commencing in 2010.

The Dark Side:

The solar panels won’t be able to power the tractor for a longer duration if heavier tasks such as plowing. The tractor has been designed for carrying out lighter tasks such as watering fields and weeding.

Via: TechLime/FWI

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