14 DAY TRIAL // Well, we've heard about solar-powered cars, and airplanes, and even trains, but a submarine running on solar energy? Why not, ask the scientists who started Project Goldfish, a German initiative that aims at bringing the pleasure of an underwater ride to the top of the Alps. Lake Thun will host the new project, that is, the submarine, its surface solar panels, a solar shuttle – connecting the shore to the dock in the middle of the lake – and the docking station itself.
The website of the project announced that the feasibility study proved to be a real success, and that, most likely, the completion of this endeavor will take place somewhere in 2012. At this point, the group behind the solar-powered sub is gathering a circle of investors and supporters, to fund their boat, which will be designed solely as a touristic attraction.
As a result, it will feature a large living room, which will comfortably accommodate between 20 and 30 guests. Two crew members will also fit on board, running the critical functions of the boat. The submarine will be capable of descending at a depth of 300 meters (about 1,000 feet), and will feature fairly large portholes (60-70 centimeters), through which tourists will be able to observe the wonders of the beautiful lake.
The boarding platform will also carry the solar panels, some 300 square meters of them, which will be able to produce in excess of 30 kW of completely renewable energy. The submarine will dock there regularly, to recharge its batteries. But the really amazing thing about the whole structure is that the platform will follow the ship closely, via an integrated GPS system that will allow it to "see" exactly where the submarine is located under the surface.
This will eliminate the need for the ship to return to the same location for refueling and will allow it to roam the lake at will. The link between the platform and the shore will be covered by a solar-powered ferry, which will be capable of transporting all the passengers the sub can accommodate at once.