PEI’s Anne of Green energy?

The province of Prince Edward Island in Canada is probably best known for the book (and films, and TV series) Anne of Green Gables, which has been a worldwide favourite since it was written in 1908.

There is still a popular musical based on the book performed on the island every summer as well as various Anne themed attractions and souvenirs for visitors.

Now PEI may become know for green energy, with the launch this summer of the Isola Solaretta – a solar powered dinner and cruise excursion which claims to be ‘North America’s largest solar boat & the world’s first solar-powered dinner cruise and tour boat.’

It’s a private sector solution to the Government of PEI’s Provincial Energy Strategy which sets out its obligation to help reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020.

Originally used at EXPO 67

The boat was originally used as a ‘Vaporetta’ sightseeing boat at the Montreal EXPO international fair of 1967 and was redone by E.Y.E Marine of Nova Scotia last year to be reconfigured for dining and entertainment use and to incorporate 6.2 kW of flexible solar panels on its roof, an Elco EP-70 electric motor and a specially designed NiCad battery system under the see-through floor.

In some ways the Isola Solaretta combines the solar boat aspect of India’s Anditya commuter solar boat with the dinner and cocktail electric saloon boats of Amsterdam. The PEI vessel is a sightseeing/visitor  boat that accommodates 40 and is scheduled to do three tours of Charlottetown Harbour each day from May until October.

The 90 minute tour includes a brief history of the boat, time lapse video of its conversion, an overview of solar-powered vehicles, and features of the ecosystem of Charlottetown and it’s harbour.

The nighttime cruises have wines and dinner available and a special midnight cruise features music, magic, champagne and world famous PEI oysters and drinking champagne.

To find out more information or to book a cruise, visit RideSolar