At the ripe old age of 24, British designer Alistair Callender has created plans for the world’s first zero-carbon super-yacht,Soliloquy. This tremendous feat is especially significant because its price tag is as appealing as its aesthetics, coming in at €40m.

The yacht will still be as luxurious as Abramovich’s famous Eclipse, yet more innovative and environmentally friendly because of its zero-emission capabilities. In an age when so many millionaires have invested their time and money into making their homes and businesses green, they now have the opportunity to do the same for their toys.

Soliloquy will include all the amenities of any floating mansion, the only difference will be in its mechanics and its impacts on the seas it sails. One important distinction in the construction of the super-yacht will be its propeller, which will be powered by the sun. The actual boat will be motorized by wind, solar and Hybrid Marine Power (HMP) technology.

Callender intends for the vessel to be electricity-powered and covered in photovoltaic film that is fueled by the sun. “Fixed sails will double as solar panels to produce enough energy to propel the 58-metre long boat at a cruising speed of eight knots.” The three fixed sails will be up to 17 meters, built by Solar Sailor. The sails will be able to sustain winds up to 40 knots. The hull will be constructed of timber instead of energy-intensive aluminum. “

Together with the sails, the solar panels will fuel four cells that will work in conjunction with diesel engines beneath deck when there is not enough solar power.” It is estimated that the engines will rarely be fired, because yachts are generally used in sunny climates. Recycled leather, natural fiber upholstery and wood from only sustainable forests will be used on the interior of the 12-person ship.

Most yachts today burn thousands of liters of diesel an hour and Callender has set out to stop this craze.A yacht the same size as the Soliloquy would waste 2,000 liters an hour traveling at 35 knots. These pollution-emitting crafts will release 12 tons of carbon dioxide into the environment and an additional 1,000 liters a day for air-conditioning and other electrical devices.

Callender is dedicated to changing the future of yachting because these gas-guzzling machines are an abomination to our environment. Callender’s ardor is evident as he appeals to yacht brokers: “These giant gin palaces use a huge amount of fuel and produce so much pollution, I wanted to prove the point that eco-luxury no longer needs to be an oxymoron.”

There is a great deal of optimism surrounding this projec; Hein Velema, one of the most prominent yacht brokers in Monaco, publicly stated that his clients are highly anticipating the arrival of this innovation. Soliloquy is perfect for yacht enthusiasts who are also environmentally conscious.

A scale model of the yacht was first presented at Coventry University in May 2009, and since then a great amount of interest has been sparked by this development.

-Affluent Page

[Callender Designs]