First Solar boat was delivered in Galapagos
Authorities of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy officially delivered the country’s first Solar catamaran called ‘Genesis Solar.’ It is a sustainable alternative of fossil for transportation of passengers traveling from the Baltra to the Santa Cruz islands.
‘Genesis Solar’ has capacity to transport 42 passengers seated and has 2 sites for wheelchairs. It was built with photovoltaic panels and is driven by electric motors that are powered by the conversion of the solar energy into electrical energy. It is expected that the ship makes 10 trips a day Between the Baltra and Santa Cruz islands, of approximately 10 minutes each one, at an average speed of 5 knots.
The boats that provide transport service at the Itabaca channel are barges that use fossil fuel. According to studies, it is estimated that 4,200 gallons of fossil fuel and emissions of approximately 38 tonnes of CO2 are required for the annual operation of a unit, which represents an environmental hazard for a sensitive ecosystem like Galapagos.
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