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Shipping vessels could cut emissions by using solar panels as sails

Solar Panels

Hats off to human imagination and the very human instinct to continue progressing at an ever increasing pace! When it was for the golden phase of industrialization, we left absolutely no stone unturned to make sure that we make the fullest use of oil. Then after the delayed realization of a grave mistake, we started looking out for harnessable sources of energy other than conventional fuel and figured out the immense potential of the sun to provide us an untold trap of energy that previously went unnoticed. Today, when we know the benefits of the renewable sources of energy, we still leave no stone unturned to use them to the fullest. Take for example the project of Eco Marine Power to install solar panels on ships that would be bi-functional as sails as well as for photovoltaic energy.

Eco Marine is not alone, the Japanese company, Fukuoka is promoting the concept as away to go green for the shipping industry. As a good start, the aquarium systems would install a series of solar panels on the decks of the ship. Advanced technology is to be used to position the panels in such a manner that they would trap the maximum possible amount of solar energy, as also utilize the appropriate quantum of wind energy so that the panels can serve as sails. These panels could be used for recharging purposes on the ports by utilizing the solar energy that they have trapped throughout the journey. For a pilot project, these sails are to be installed on existing ships, large careers and oil tankers. However, in the long run, if proven to be successful, these sails would also be used regularly on smaller ships.

It is actually good to see such developments coming about. It is nothing but an indication that we have started rising up to the greatest cause of today – saving our Mother Nature and making this planet a better place to live in for generations to come. There is no individual, no organization, no community and no country today which is not making an effort to contribute to the noble cause. That is the reason why the most unexpected industry, shipping has taken the most unexpected step, an economical utilization of solar panels, both for energy and sails. As an ending note, we wish that the project gets successful for such efforts do not come up every day.

Via: Treehugger

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