Solar Sailor Holdings, based out of Australia, is making headlines world wide for it's new product
-- a boat that works on just solar and wind alone. 

This is a positive direction in Renewable Energy Technologies and thus a much needed solution 
to water transportation for this century, when the Fossil Fuel Transportation Age is expected to 
end.

Oil reserves and Natural Gas are expected to end between 2050-2070, and while we will not be 
around, our future generation will be quiet dependant on renewable energy technologies, such
as the type introduced by Solar Sailor Holdings. 

It is thus a historic event for Juryfury.com that we should be able to hear from Dr Robert Dane, 
CEO of Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd, himself and learn first-hand about this new technology and the 
demand for and obstacles against it in present times.


Here is the interview:



1) What is your product?


Hybrid Marine Power and Lightweight Marine Solar Panels



2) What's the cost and who are potential buyers?


Power systems for boatbuilder Solar panels US$6/watt for single orders - down to US$4/
watt for large orders.



3) Are you branching into Automobiles? When can we see a Solar Automobile 
that works like one driven on Oil/Gas?


No.  

A 100% solar car --even with 100% efficient panels will never give same performance day and 
night as a fossil fuel car. We see hybrid marine power as a step to fuel cell propulsion. The 
US market is already somewhat aware of the hybrid car so we are looking to demonstrate the 
possibilities of hybrid boats. Many of the advantages can be guessed from hybrid cars, such 
as fuel savings, reduced emissions when running, passenger comfort, zero water pollution, 
zero emissions at the wharf -- satisfying Proposition 65 etc. See Link.

It is worth noting that hybrid cars and boats will one day use fuel cells instead of batteries and 
generators. One of the advantages of marine applications is you that you sit on the water from 
which you can make your fuel - from solar during the day and from the grid at night -- so avoiding 
the need for hydrogen infrastructure.



4) Are you seeing a lot of support from Industrialists and how much are they committing 
to your project?


Support of BP Solar, Panasonic, CiTect, Enersys (batteries), Elgas -- have given us significant 
financial (over $500,000 and also in kind support).



5) What's the competition like? 

We are ahead of the field in hybrid boats in 5 - 5000hp range. Our main competition is from 
diesel motor manufacturers who have incumbency infrastructure and economies of scale. 
Currently, environment is not generally a factor in purchasing a power system for marine craft. 
We can argue re-fuel savings passenger comfort and impact surrounding environment



6) What political changes or laws have helped you enhance your business or have 
created problems?


Propositon 65 in US I believe will have a huge impact on our business. Councils, operators and 
ferry companies should be on notice that polluting public spaces at the wharf with carcinogens 
that don't blow away is now like the passive smoking argument.



7) In the US we don't see much in the Press that is favorable to Renewable Energy growth. 
Advertisement tends to limit the vision of what people can see. How do you work around 
these market forces to spread the name of your products?


I think we'll see more of it in the future. I think the world is coming out of shock and people 
are realizing that uncertainty is now inevitable and we might as well get on with business.
What business will be big business in the future? Environment and energy sufficiency will 
become more important.


8) How many years will it take for your products to reach the US? And who are you 
working with in the US to achieve this?


We have just started a US Company based in LA and are looking to raise funds.




Sincerely,


Dr Robert Dane
CEO Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd & SEDA NSW Green Ambassador
www.solarsailor.com, 
Email admin@solarsailor.com.au