Is This the Tesla of the Water? North Andover Company Builds Solar-Powered Boats

Is this the Tesla of the water? North Andover entrepreneur James Worden is developing solar-powered boats through Worden Marine, a company with design and marketing operations based in town.

In a September demonstration on the Charles River, Worden showed a 20-foot catamaran-style boat running solely on solar energy, even under cloudy skies. Worden Marine says its boats are designed for recreational and commercial use, offering a quieter ride without the fuel odors and engine vibration of conventional motorboats.

The company is preparing a larger, 40-foot model. Worden sees potential uses ranging from personal boating to commuter ferries and shuttle services. The boats’ solar systems can also generate electricity when a vessel is not being used on the water.

Worden has worked in renewable energy for decades and founded Solectria, an early electric vehicle manufacturer. Worden Marine’s molds are made in Rhode Island, while final manufacturing takes place at a shipyard in Belfast, Maine.

Boston 25 News reports that the solar-powered boats may cost more upfront than traditional boats, with potential long-term savings in fuel and maintenance. The company’s North Andover design and marketing base puts a local connection behind a project aimed at changing how people move on the water.

Reporting source: Boston 25 News.

Learn more about the company: Worden Marine.