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SolarButterfly educational tour to reach Waterfall City soon

Photo by SolarButterfly

Photo by SolarButterfly

21st February 2025

By: Sabrina Jardim

Creamer Media Online Writer

     

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The SolarButterfly – a solar-powered, 30-ft-long house in the shape of a butterfly, which charges an electric vehicle that tows it – is undertaking a tour across South Africa as part of a worldwide tour that got under way in 2022, and will reach Waterfall City, in Midrand, Gauteng, on February 24.

It has already travelled more than 75 000 km and visited 42 countries globally. It started its South African leg in Cape Town on February 10.

The tour will end in Brazil in November at this year’s COP30.

The SolarButterfly is being used to raise awareness of climate change, with the butterfly symbolising society’s transition away from fossil fuels towards clean technologies.

“We’re thrilled to host this feat of innovation and demonstration of sustainability at Waterfall City this weekend. It is representative of the importance of renewable-energy sources and is especially apt in a country like South Africa with high solar potential.

“We are continuing to explore increased use of solar energy across Waterfall City,” says property company Attacq sustainability project manager Mischa Tessendorf.

The SolarButterfly's equipment includes unique large solar panels that unfold into giant 'butterfly wings'.

With more than 80 m2 of solar panels it can produce enough energy to travel up to 200 km a day.

During the day, the vehicle can charge its battery and is open to the public. It has a kitchen, bathroom and a living room, accommodating a crew of up to five people.

This is the world’s first vehicle largely built from Ocean polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – plastic bottles gathered at sea, recycled and repurposed.

The main tour sponsor is maxon, a Swiss company for precision drives.

“We want to show that lots of innovative clean solutions are available that create jobs and save money! A transition of our society, like a butterfly, is needed now,” says Swiss solar pioneer Louis Palmer.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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