A 75-seater solar powered passenger ferry is to be launched in August in Southern India, according to NavAlt, the India-based company who is building the vessel.
The State Water Transport Department was looking for solution for transporting people across the backwaters that is not just eco-friendly but also economically viable. CUSAT university undertook a feasibility study and assessed a beak-even period of 6 years for such a solution. A global tender was initiated and NavAlt, with its experience and competence, reviewed by a technical committee of experts from CUSAT, ANERT, SILK, Kerala Ports, SWTD and a composite expert, was awarded to build this 75 Pax Boat.
The India’s first solar powered ferry :
- will be capable of cruising at 7.5 knots for six hours
- it will feature 20 kW Solar Panels,
- a 40 kW motor, and
- a 50 kWh lithium battery array
Source & Image credit: NavAlt
