Context: India’s first solar-powered ferry, Aditya, which became an icon on the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route in Kerala, is among 12 such ferries that have been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouvé Award. It is the sole entrant from Asia.
About Aditya

• Aditya has been an icon on the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route in Kerala for being the first solar-powered ferry in the country. 
• The ferry was built by Naval Solar and Electric Boats, Kochi and is currently being operated by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD). 
• It is a 75-seater boat fitted with 78 rooftop solar panels, with a maximum speed of 7.5 knots without any noise and minimal vibrations.
• The solar powered boat is built by Kochi-based NavAlt Pvt Ltd.
• The per km energy cost of Aditya is low. It operates 22 trips a day carrying 75 passengers per trip covering a total distance of 66 km with just Rs 180 per day energy cost. 
• Till now the ferry has transported 11 lakh passengers, covering a distance of 70,000 with a zero carbon footprint. 

About Gustave Trouvé Awards

• Gussies Electric Boat Awards were instituted in memory of Gustave Trouvé, a French electrical engineer and pioneer in electric cars and boats
• Trouvé was a prolific inventor with over 75 patents and he developed a 5-m-long prototype electric boat way back in 1881.
• There are three award categories: one for electric boats up to 8m in length, electric boats more than 8 m long and electric ferry boats (passenger boats). 
• Aditya has been listed in the electric ferry boats (passenger boats) category for the award.