The boat incorporates the solarsail’s hybrid marine power (HMP) technology that combines electric drives with the power and range of hydrocarbon/alternative fuels.
In addition to solarsail technology, the Suntech-Guosheng passenger vessel incorporates National Semiconductor’s analog-based SolarMagic technology to maximize the power output of the HMP system.
The solar-powered sea vessels are designed for fuel savings, zero emission capability, power redundancy, lower green-house gases, noxious gas and particulate emissions, and potential access to environmentally sensitive routes.
Dr Zhengrong Shi, chairman and CEO of Suntech, said: “To meet the soaring global demand for Suntech’s solar products, we plan to add 1,000MW of crystalline silicon cell and module production capacity at our Shanghai facility within the next three years.”
