Solar-propelled cargo ship launches from Japan
Last Updated: Friday, December 19, 2008 | 11:06 AM ET Comments23Recommend20
CBC News

The world's first ship partially propelled by solar power took to the seas on Friday in Japan, with the aim to cut fuel costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Auriga Leader freighter took off from a shipyard in the western city of Kobe, according to a report Friday by Agence France-Presse.

The 200-metre freighter, which weighs about 60,000 tonnes, is the world's first large vessel with a solar-based propulsion system, according to its developers, shipping line Nippon Yusen K.K. and oil distributor Nippon Oil Corp.

Solar energy has previously been used to power lighting and electricity for crew's quarters on large cargo vessels, but hadn't been used for propulsion.

The energy provided by the ship's 328 solar panels, however, is minuscule compared to the propulsion needs of the ship. The panels are capable of generating 40 kilowatts, or 0.2 per cent of the ship's energy consumption.

The companies said the installation of the panels, done at a cost of 150 million yen ($2.06 million Cdn), represents the first test of whether solar panels can be successfully used on "the harsh shipboard environment."

The panels themselves are not attached to the ship directly, but are rather installed on the ship's car-carrier, which is capable of carrying 6,400 automobiles, and then connected to the onboard 440 volt electrical network.

The companies hope having the panels on the carrier will protect them from the stresses of the ship's environment, including salt-water damage, wind pressure, and vibrations.

Nippon Yusen, Japan's largest shipping company, has set a goal of halving its fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.