Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto
  3. Travel
  4. News

The Solar Impact Yacht Can Sail the World in Zero-emission Luxury

By

Boats (in general) and cruise ships (in particular) are among the least environmentally-friendly modes of travel that currently exist. While clever innovations have been made in the way of electric boats and renewable-energy-assisted ships, we have a long way to go before the industry can be considered “green.” But, a newly unveiled solar-powered ship has the potential to chart a much brighter course for the future.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Swiss marine innovators Solar Impact debuted the aptly named Solar Impact Yacht at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. Under ideal, sunny conditions, the 78-foot all-electric boat has the potential to traverse the globe without stopping. This is accomplished through a 3,200-square-foot solar array that blankets the hull, generating up to 320kWh on a sunny day. These power an 800kWh battery with the capacity to run the ship for up to 10 hours in a single day. While this would mean dialing the cruising speed down to a leisurely 5 knots (that’s 5.7 miles per hour for you non-sailors), the ship is capable of a maximum speed of 22 knots.

Recommended Videos

The 70-ton hull uses lightweight, state-of-the-art aluminum construction to reduce weight. The exterior design also helps limit heeling and rolling in the water by up to 90%. Even in strong waves and currents, the ship’s stability ensures a relatively smooth, comfortable ride.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

But, the Solar Impact isn’t meant to be merely a statement piece on the owner’s environmental awareness. Because it can run for extended periods — possibly indefinitely — the designers put a good deal of thought into the ship’s creature comforts. While the final details have yet to be confirmed, the latest virtual reality tour reveals a sleek, ultra-luxe, minimalist cabin design that feels plucked from Blade Runner 2049. The central onboard computer system is also powered by sophisticated AI software to control everything from lighting to electrical to propulsion.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The idea of a solar-powered yacht is nothing new. In 2016, the Solar Wave debuted to surprising demand. Plus, hybrid yacht designs are now greener and more affordable than ever, which is further proof of the viability of commercial solar-powered yacht models.

There is no pricing or official release date for the Solar Impact Yacht as it’s still in the early concept phase. But, frankly, if you have to ask …

Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South… Read Full Bio
Topics
Auto
Is the BMW XM a perfect blend of practicality and performance
Car, Transportation, Vehicle

The BMW XM has received a bit of a mixed response, but there’s a strong argument that it’s a logical next step on from the BMW M5. Think about it, the M5 is special because it combines practicality with exceptional performance. The BMW XM does the same thing, though you’re trading a little handling quality for far more practicality.

On a recent venture in BMW’s performance SUV, I weighed up the pros and cons of BMW’s most divisive vehicle. And it may be a better choice than BMW’s flagship.

Read more
Auto
Is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 the best sports coupe on the market?
Side view of a Mercedes-AMG GT 63

When it comes to entertaining vehicles, it’s hard to beat a good sports coupe. And, despite it being a competitive segment, there’s an argument that the Mercedes-AMG deserves a spot close to the top of the sports coupe table.

In terms of direct rivals, the AMG sits in a similar bracket to the Porsche 911, Maserati Granturismo, and the BMW M8 Competition. All of which offer a lot of power, excellent handling, and an eye catching exterior.

Read more
Auto
McLaren and Motul develop bespoke lubricant to keep them on top
Auto Racing, Car, Formula One

My first vehicle was a 1988 Ford Ranger. It was small, reliable, and the perfect first car. However, I wasn’t allowed to park it in the driveway at home because it went through as much oil as it did gas. The leak was bad enough that I had to check and refill the oil once a week. The same cadence as the gas tank. That was where I learned the importance of fluids for cars. McLaren hits the Formula 1 tracks across the globe with that importance at the forefront of mind as they compete for the championship, and will now be teaming with Motul to take their collaboration for the world’s most reliable lubricant to the world of endurance racing. From the high stress of speed in Formula 1 to the endurance of long-distance racing, the perfect bespoke lubricant is on the way.

McLaren was already using a very high-performance transmission fluid, with an extremely high level of requirements. Our challenge was to go even further: decrease friction losses even more while ensuring lubricant durability over time. The formulation developed with McLaren Racing has been validated to maintain its performance over several thousand kilometers under Formula 1 conditions. And this is only the beginning: in F1, cars are constantly evolving, and the formulation will continue to progress as well. – Julien Plet, Head of R&D at Motul.

Read more