The largest ship which works only thanks to the Sun

Computing engines, everything in the boat works with solar energy. Photo: courtesy Raphael Domjan

"After Galapagos showed me clearly that Latin America is an ideal area for solar energy".

Swiss engineer Raphael Domjan came to archipelago Ecuador on a single - largest boat propelled exclusively by solar energy.

Swiss engineer Raphael Domjan believes that Latin America not to miss opportunities in the field of solar energy.

"The main objective is to teach the world today, not tomorrow or in 10 years, we have the technology and the power to change things," he told BBC World Domjan, the creator of the project and the leader of the expedition.

The boat is a 31-metre long catamaran and 15 wide and coverage has more than 500 square metres of photovoltaic plates. All components of computers, motor ship conjunction with electricity generated by the sunlight.

The vessel is christened "Turanor solar planet", whose name means "The strength of the Sun", function from language of the novel "Lord of the rings".

Domjan was moved by the enormous interest shown by his ship in Ecuador, but expressed surprise that region do not seize the enormous opportunities offered by new technologies in the field of solar energy.

"People meet the incredible Galapagos for me, it was wonderful that many people have come aboard and showed great interest," said Domjan BBC world. The expedition was already four months and has been in Miami and Cancun, among other things. This week, he embarks in Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia and should not return to its starting point, Monaco, but by April 2012.

The ship spent several days in the Galápagos Islands.

During the detention of the ship in the Galapagos, hundreds of people visited the ship and showed great interest, according to the leader of the expedition, Raphael Domjan. Photo: courtesy Raphael Domjan

Enlarge image

For several days stop, Ecuador, crew members showed visitors how the ship and conducted lectures and outreach activities. Representatives of various ministries were also aboard.

The Government really wants to change and the Galapagos are free of fossil fuels as quickly as possible. ""We have a foundation and we cooperate with the Ecuador in the future, said the leader of the expedition.

More than countries produce solar panels, including United States, European Nations, the Japan and China, but the development in this area is limited in Latin America, according to Domjan.

"For me, it was strange to see how, for example, a Galapagos company had imported Japan solar panels." It puts them on the roof of the company. "But they do not work due to a simple technical problem and there is nobody who can repair".

The engineer believes that the Governments of the region should support enterprises in their forces initials, investment and join with companies who have the knowledge and technology.

Domjan has a true passion for solar power. This Swiss engineer also paramedical and guide to mountaineering, already obtained a decade ago something unprecedented.

The vessel has more than 500 square metres of photovoltaic plates. Photo: courtesy image Raphael DomjanAmpliar

Your business on the internet, says, became in 2001 in the first in the world, including servers operated exclusively with solar energy and today is convinced that this technology is more necessary than ever.

"We know that there are problems with the climate, it is necessary to reduce emissions of CO2 due to climate change. "In addition, fossil miss a day, but we are optimistic."

In Latin America, "the Sun has a very special significance since the time of the Incas, which were very advanced in astronomical research."

Domjan, the region must encourage companies specialising in green technologies and use solar energy "" not only to protect the planet, but to improve its economy"."

View the original article here