Swiss company BKW has revealed that it plans to launch a 20-30 meter long solar-powered submarine. The vessel, to be used as a tourist attraction, will feature a huge ‘living-room’ style passenger area, as well as 60-70cm viewing portholes.
Under the plan, called Project Goldfish, a team of engineers will build a submarine, capable of carrying 20-30 passengers and two crew, at a depth of up to 300 meters across Lake Thun. Since it operates underwater, the team has figured that it’s pointless to attach solar panels on the sub itself. Instead, the vessel will fully recharge at a floating solar platform on the surface of the lake, decked out with 300m2 of solar collectors capable of supplying up to 30kW of renewable energy.
When required, the solar platform will be automatically hooked up with the sub via GPS. A zero-emission solar-powered shuttle will also ferry passengers to and from the shore and the boarding platform.
Following a successful feasibility study, BKW will build a team of investment partners. The company envisages that the scheme will become fully operational in 2012.
Image Credit – Projekt-Goldfisch
