Jason, and all;
I'm with you. When the technology / R&D gets to the point where the sail area, at least the main, can be used to generate solar power; it will be a sweet day for those of us who are already using wind-generated power to move our boats.
Even though the main sits pretty much perpendicular to the sun, incorporating that much area has to make a big difference. Add to that solar panels built into the deck that can be walked on safely and we can kiss that carbon crude good-bye.
I had seen a piece on line about a company that makes solar equipment for the military, allowing them to set up command centers, etc. in the field, on the fly, and have power. Their solar panels are rollable and if one section is damaged, the rest continues to function. They have a video of a guy firing off several rounds into one and, as the slogan goes, it just keeps on ticking. The panels did not look flexible enough that they would work as a sail, but it's a step closer.
I also saw a piece about a team woking on the idea of building solar panels into our roads and highways. The panels, when developed, could be driven on! Considering that, panels "built into" the deck area can't be too far off either.
"JR"
__._,_.___
MARKETPLACE
.
__,_._,___
No comments:
Post a Comment