First Channel Crossing By Solar Powered Boat For Charity
In the week starting Sunday 22 June, Simon Milward, 38, will attempt to be the first person to cross the English Channel in a boat powered directly by the sun (with no other energy source and no battery power). His challenge is being supported by AKT Solar and powered by AKT Solar panels.
Simon Milward will begin his journey from the Lydd peninsula (just west of Dover) and travel single-handed 53km across the English Channel to France. If successful, this will create a Guinness World Record. Simon will be raising money for OXFAM.
Simon Milward said "The English Channel contains the most crowded shipping lanes and some of the strongest tides in the world. I will have to navigate through these alone, perched on my small boat, dependent entirely on the sun for power. The AKT Solar panels on my boat will be generating over 1000W of electricity when the sun shines and will provide this directly into the electric motor to power me forward.
"This will be yet another demonstration of the potential of solar power. Solar energy is a versatile, pollution-free and inexhaustible fuel source that can supply electricity anywhere in the world. Every hour the Earth receives enough energy from the sun's rays to satisfy the world's energy needs for an entire year and yet we still have over 1.2 billion people "“ 20% of the world's population "“ who don't have access to electricity. My dream is to help spread this technology to where it's most needed and where it can make a real difference to so many people's lives."
"I hope I don't get seasick." He added.
In order to make the most of the sunlight Simon will have to wait for a day with no clouds. He will then start at around 8:00am and travel for up to 12 hours without stopping. The solar photovoltaic panels produce 12V dc directly from the sunlight and this electricity feeds into the brushless electric motor attached to the transom of the boat. The power from the panels is greatest when the sun is shining directly on them. However, they also produce electricity in shadows or cloudy or overcast conditions, which is fortunate when travelling through the shipping lanes as he should still be able to steer if some clouds come over or even in the shadow of a 400,000 ton cargo ship.
Simon has registered his plan with Guinness World Records and the money Simon raises will go to the charity OXFAM.
