What could be the better way other than luxury submarines for billionaires (who wish to rule the seas like Captain Nemo) to submerge in luxury? Very much like luxury yachts, luxury submarines are catching the fetish of the billionaires of the society. A few days back, we were talking about the possibility for the superyachts of the rich to go green with the solar sail, and now we have a solar powered submarine. Swiss energy company BKW has unveiled its GOLDFISH project, which stands for the world’s first solar powered submarine. The submarine will be powered by a floating solar array. Sharing the looks of a water Lilly, the floating solar platform has a central hub, surrounded by five satellites fitted with solar panels. The solar array will float on 300 square meters of area and will produce 30 kilowatts of electricity.

With a weight of up to 80 tons, the 30 meter long, 10 meter high submarine accommodates 24 people and is able to go down a maximum of 300 meters under water. A solar-powered shuttle boat will bring the tourists from the shore to the platform for the submarine ride. BMK expects to use a similar concept to power the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Anyway, they are currently looking for investors for the GOLDFISH project, which is estimated to cost about US $8.85 million.

When I think about the mystery of 100 luxury subs lurking around the Seven Seas, I find the GOLDFISH solar powered marine really a strange concept. Folks like Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich would never want a submarine, which could be easily spotted by the masses, thanks to the floating solar array. But still, I am all praise for everything that cares for Mother Nature.

Via: EcoFriend/Projekt-Goldfisch