Whenever we think of Venice, those romantic and sublime gondolas gingerly drifting across the richly bedecked Grand Canal – come to our mind. But the truth of the matter is that the modern Venetian water taxi has seriously made its mark in the Venetian water transportation system, and are fast replacing the exalted gondolas (‘The Tourist’ anyone?). And in context of this commercial direction, Turin-based designer and maker of custom yacht shade systems, OPAC, had developed a new double protection convertible top system. And to give a touch of ‘green’ flavor, they have also incorporated solar panels on its roof top.
Named as the Solar Top, the water craft contains a system of roof top arranged with parallel sliding panels. Composed of aluminium alloy or composite material, glass or even fabric, these panel can be ‘slid’ by using stainless steel handling levers, to reveal the open top for better air circulation and obviously gorgeous views.
And now the company has progressed by a ‘green’ step by ingeniously managing to integrate solar panels on the individual sliding sections of the top. This according to the company will allow for harnessing of clean energy that could power up the whole boat, with all its on-board appliances. The sustainable measure also has some commercial value to it, as according to OPAC, the system would be easier to be incorporated into luxury superyacht tenders.
Source: SuperYachtDesign
