A solar-powered tractor could be on sale by 2010 for
between €45,000 and €50,000 (£31,600-39,500), according toOpen Energy,
the Austrian company developing the technology.
Powered by a 26sq m solar panel, the first tractors are aimed at
vegetable and fruit producers and will be able to cope with jobs
like weeding and drilling. Power output is a modest 4kW
(5.5hp).
Because the solar panels constantly adjust their position, says
development engineer Peter Prohaska, they are 40% more efficient
than fixed units and can use less direct sunlight. "There is nearly
always more power being stored than is being used, so the tractor
will be able to run constantly for up to a day and a half on
slower-paced jobs like watering or weeding. Heavier, more demanding
applications will require more battery capacity," he says.
A typical speed for the solar-powered tractor will be just
0.5kph, suitable for applications such as mechanical weeding. But
higher speeds of 5-6kph will be possible for shorter periods of
time.
Open Energy also reckons that the solar-powered tractor will be
able to cope with short bursts of heavier jobs, even ploughing.
They add that it would be an ideal vehicle to be GPS-guided.
The first prototype is due to be on-farm in Austria in 2009,
with sales starting in 2010 and initial demand likely to come from
the Austrian market. Interest in manufacturing has already been
shown by both Asian and US companies.
