At a glance
Project Solar Proa is developing wind-solar-powered hybrid vessels for carbon-neutral small-scale tropical maritime transport, exploration, and tourism. Completion of our 9-meter minimal viable product Roti Proa II is targeted for mid-2026 and strategic partnerships are available for commercial validation.
The vision
Electric vehicle adoption across Asia has created new expectations for quiet, clean transportation - expectations that extend to maritime sector. We’re bringing carbon-neutral propulsion to water transport, island-hopping, snorkeling, and diving tourism through vessels that combine:
- Traditional Design - Inspired by Austronesian outrigger proas and Indonesian sailing traditions
- Modern Engineering - Parametric CAD design, aluminum construction, efficient electric propulsion
- Renewable Energy - 4kW solar arrays plus sail propulsion for zero-emission operation
Our Vessels
Roti Proa I
Status: Completed & Tested (2025)
Size: 4.2m prototype
Achievement: Proof of concept validated in Singapore waters
Roti Proa II
Status: Under Construction
Size: 9m day tourism vessel
Capacity: 4 passengers + 2 crew
Target: June 2026 completion
Roti Proa III
Status: Design Phase
Size: 13m multi-day vessel
Capacity: 5-6 passengers
Target: 2027 validation
Why Tropical Southeast Asia?
Exceptional solar irradiation makes the region ideally suited for sustainable maritime propulsion. Our designs optimize traditional outrigger configurations to maximize solar panel area while maintaining excellent sailing characteristics.
The shunting, single-outrigger layout provides:
- Ample space for solar arrays between hull and outrigger
- Sail positioning that avoids casting shadows on panels
- Superior stability and efficiency for safe hybrid propulsion
Commercial Opportunities
Eco-Tourism Applications:
- Short-distance passenger transport
- Island-hopping and coastal exploration
- Snorkeling and diving expeditions
- Educational sailing experiences
- Wildlife observation cruises
Operational Advantages:
- Zero fuel costs and carbon emissions
- Significantly lower maintenance than diesel
- Quiet operation enhancing wildlife experiences
- Regulatory advantages from green certifications
Market Position: At 10 knots under motor power, Roti Proa II targets the contemplative pace of eco-tourism - where the journey itself is part of the value proposition.
Technical Innovation
All vessel designs are created using parametric CAD modeling in FreeCAD and Python, enabling:
- Novel boat designs optimized for solar-wind-hybrid propulsion
- Continuous power and weather monitoring for accurate arrival time prediction
- Rapid design iteration and optimization, version control and design transparency
- Open-source accessibility for educational purposes
Current Status & Timeline
Q1 2026: Main hull delivery (9m Roti Proa II)
Q2 2026: Final assembly and sea trials
Q3 2026: Commercial validation with strategic partners
2027+: Pilot production and 13m vessel development
Partnership Opportunities
We welcome strategic partners for:
- Field testing collaboration and operational feedback
- Joint development of eco-tourism protocols
- Co-branding opportunities for sustainability leadership
- CSR alignment through maritime innovation support
Partnership structures can be flexibly tailored to organizational priorities.
Project Team
Project Coordinator: A/Prof Martin Henz, School of Computing, National University of Singapore
Technical Advisors: Naval architect, naval engineer, electrical engineer
Support: National University of Singapore, industry sponsors, private donors
Contact
Email: henz@nus.edu.sg
Institution: School of Computing, National University of Singapore
Combining Southeast Asian maritime traditions with modern sustainable technology
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