A solar-powered boat has been created by 6 students from the Traffic Engineering Faculty of the University of Technology in Da Nang.  They are Vo Van Nhat, Nguyen Ngoc Dai Tri, Le Van Hoang, Nguyen Thang Dai, Nguyen Viet Tien and Ho Van Tue.

The 2.1m-long, 1m-wide boat can travel at speeds of up to 16kph in conditions with less than 0.15m-high waves.  The 2-seater boat, which is made of composite materials, can run continuously for 30 minutes at an average speed.

It has a large solar panel to create solar power for charging its batteries, which produce the energy to power the boat.

The solar-powered boat

Initially, the boat was trialled on a small lake at the University, but since then it has been tested on the Han River to evaluate its application in reality. 

Student Vo Van Nhat said that the product would be well suited to the hot and sunny weather conditions in Da Nang, and in the central region and highlands as a whole.  It is friendly to the environment and would be convenient for local river tourism services.

Some of the creators and their product

Lecturer Nguyen Tien Thua from the Traffic Engineering Faculty said that the boat operates smoothly without environmental pollution or noise, and it also saves fuel.  He remarked that, if the product became popular in the future, it could help the city to diversify its river tourism and satisfy the growing visitor demand.

With this creative product, the student group won first prize in their University’s Science Innovation Contest.  They are appealing for donations from domestic individuals and organisations to further their research into their product and bring it to fruition.