http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/ Engadget Comments for First partially-solar-powered cargo ship launches in Japan http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 6:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 5:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
.03 becomes .06 even if the cells are doubled in efficiency:P
wee!]]>Dec 24th 2008 6:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 7:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/40Kw doesnt sound like a lot of power to me in any sense of the word. It's probably cost more in R&D and design that they'll save in power use.]]>Dec 24th 2008 7:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 25th 2008 3:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 7:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 7:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 8:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 8:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
]]>Dec 24th 2008 8:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 8:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7205217.stm]]>Dec 24th 2008 8:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
Thanks for linking Celedhring but I was thinking of the kind with a kind of plastic looking 'sails' on the deck, although the kite thing is interesting too, kites, who knew eh.
]]>Dec 26th 2008 7:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 8:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 7:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 8:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
BP made a big splash a few years ago by covering the canopys of their newest gas stations with solar panels. I was involved in the project. The power output was so small and unreliable that they did not know what to do with the trickle of power they produced. In most stores it ended uo being hooked up to the soda fountain to run a few solenoid valves and the 20 watt flourescent light behind the sign. In many stores the panels were actually hooked up to nothing.

The Birkenstock Brigade seems to think we could all be driving around in solar cars tomorrow if only we were not all so selfish and in the pocket of Big Oil. This is a fantasy.

Oh, and wind is only slightly better]]>Dec 24th 2008 9:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://flickr.com/photos/rawksteadi/3099013053/in/set-72157611391328635/
]]>Dec 24th 2008 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/How much harm was done to the environment in manufacturing these panels and will be done when they need to be disposed of?]]>Dec 24th 2008 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/

Unless you're George Bush.]]>Dec 24th 2008 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
How, in any fashion, is this a "nice start"? The amount of time and energy put into these panels, when compared to the results, is almost equivalent to saying "I'm going to build my own house! I've already gathered sticks and twigs for the frame!"

It's not a "nice start", it's most likely insulting to the whole "Green" movement. All they've done is made the average Dick and Jane who would read this article think to themselves, "Wow, that's all that they could do? I guess Solar isn't a very good alternative energy", and make people generally lose faith in solar as a whole.

Solar has not matured and most likely won't for another decade or so. People who get solar panels these days are doing it for one of two reasons: Either because they have the money and are willing to put down a massive initial investment to power their own property, even though the price won't be justified for about 30+ years when they finally "break even" on money that they aren't paying the power company, or two, because they're an eco-nut who honestly believes this "every little bit helps" crap. Or possibly a combination of both, like BP putting solar panels everywhere, solely for the image factor.

Solar Panels that are currently on the market are what, 30% efficient? 40% if you feel like paying double? Am I the only one who thinks we're jumping on this bandwagon a bit early on a technology that, while (maybe) promising, still hasn't proven itself? I'm not asking for 99% efficient panels, and I think if we want to get off oil it's going to have to be a multitude of technologies that do it, not just one.

I feel sorry for the presenter who has to tell his shareholders this news, though. At the very least, I'd be pissed that they spent $1,680,000 to get, what was it that was posted earlier? 1 hours worth of energy saved per year? God.]]>Dec 24th 2008 4:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
Trust me I'm sure there was a return on investment planned in there when it was designed and built. Maybe the numbers don't pan out anymore, but I'm sure they did at the time.]]>Dec 24th 2008 4:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
(One problem with solar cells is that the amount of power in a square meter is actually small. In the laboratory, cells have gotten fairly efficient, but commercially available cells have been stuck in the low percentages for decades.)]]>Dec 24th 2008 5:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 10:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 1:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
That's a good catch there!]]>Dec 24th 2008 5:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Dec 24th 2008 5:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/
engine power = 13 megawatts = enough power to supply 13,000 homes

ugh. bring back the tea clippers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper]]>Dec 24th 2008 8:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/24/first-partially-solar-powered-cargo-ship-launches-in-japan/Jan 27th 2009 1:38PM