Solar Tour Boat Launched in Berlin

Aug 12, 2009

Tourists will soon be able to enjoy sightseeing and pleasure cruising in Berlin aboard a new solar-powered passenger ship, the first of its kind in the city.  

solar-powered passenger boat
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Berlin Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit helped launch the new solar-powered boat.
(© obs/Solon SE)

Berlin Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit ceremonially launched the ship, christened Solon, on August 12 in Berlin-Köpenick, from where it will offer city tours on the waters of the Spree and nearby lakes. The Solon is an Aquabus C60 catamaran-type boat with room for up to 60 passengers.

“Berlin is one of the outstanding locations for the solar industry,” Wowereit said, according to Berlin.Business-on.de. “The Aquabus proves that solar technology is employable in a multitude of ways and that it is possible to conduct inland waterway navigation with even lower emissions.”

The boat manufacturer, Berlin-based SolarWaterWorld AG, also operates the world’s first solar charging station for solar powered boats in Berlin-Köpenick. The new tour boat is named after the Berlin-based company, Solon SE, that produced the 24 solar modules installed on the roof of the boat.

© Germany.info

Solar Boat

View of Berlin along the Spree

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