Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 3:28:26 PM - by Danny Vo

European engineers are reportedly developing a 100 percent solar powered boat that could be ready for voyages by next year.

A report on CNN focuses on the "Planet Solar" boat, which is said to be about 30 meters long and under construction in Germany. The boat can reportedly reach a speed of 14 knots, which would make it the fastest completely solar powered boat on record.

According to the news network, the boat's speed would make it capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in two weeks, and after being tested in European waters, designers plan to try to take it around the world.

The article noted that the designers are hoping to demonstrate that boats can travel at higher speeds with zero carbon emissions.

Another nautical solar project that has made news recently is a plan by Toyota to reduce its own carbon footprint by introducing solar energy technology to a 60,000 ton cargo ship. A photovoltaic array on the ship produces a small amount of the ship's overall power supply.