The Da Nang Science and Technology Department has successfully completeda one-year pilot project to test solar powered energy on two deep-seafishing vessels.

The system will now be used to provide trawlersthroughout the nation with a stable and inexpensive energy source forcommunication receivers and other devices.

The solar power system saves 30 litres of fuel on each trip, worth at least 2 million VND (95 USD).

Pham Van Son, from the department’s energy saving office, said solarpower enabled fishermen to send and receive radio communications aroundthe clock.

The renewable energy system installation costs 50million VND (2,380 USD) for each ship, but it can be used for 20 years.It takes fishermen two years to reimburse the initial investment, Sonsaid.

However, he said many fishermen still hesitated to pay out such money.

FishermanLe Van Minh said the sum is as much as his catch each trip and ifgetting financial support, he will install solar power.

MeanwhileLe Van Xin, owner of a deep-sea fishing trawler in Da Nang , said hehad been using the solar power system for nearly two years.

Hesaved a third of fuel consumption on lighting. The new 100-LED bulbsystem that replaced the 100 litres of fuel 40 bulb lighting system fornet fishing each night had saved him 1.6 million VND (78 USD).

Theinstallation of a solar power system on a boat takes only two days, Sonsaid, adding that his department had been seeking funds to cover theinitial investment for fishermen.

Central Da Nang City, which has15,000sq.km of fishing grounds, has a fleet of 2,300 fishing boats, ofwhich 699 are deep-sea trawlers.-VNA