DHAKA: Center for Energy Research department of United International University (UIU) invented ‘solar ferry boat’ thinking about the real needs of the river-bank living people of Bangladesh.

They have displayed there projects‘ including ‘solar ferry boat’ at the Digital World-2014 expo in Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) of the capital on Friday.

Engineer Mahmud Ibrahim, one of the members of the invention team, also a former student of United International University (UIU), said to banglanews that their ‘solar ferry boat’ is eco-friendly as well as cheaper in cost.

He said to banglanews that considering high cost of shallow engine-run boat and river water pollution by used oils, they had come to the decision to develop such an eco-friendly ferry boat.

New boat that utilize solar power not only reduce fuel consumption but they can also operate more quietly and emit far further pollutants into the water than shallow-engine run boat, he added.

Engineer Mahmud Ibrahim told that they have used two 250-watts solar panels to charge four 12-volts batteries. “The solar panels will work as the passenger shade.”

He further mentioned that the boat will be charged by sun-power just within six hours and that will make it run for 12 hours long, moreover 13 passengers can board on the ferry.

He informed banglanews that it costs TK1 lakh, meanwhile, price will be reduced if the government or anybody assist them to manufacture commercially.

The ‘Digital World 2014’, a four-day expo on information technology, is going on in the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), started from Wednesday to showcase potential and demonstrate development of ICT sector of Bangladesh.

The expo will run till Saturday.

BDST: 1434 HRS, JUNE 6, 2014