Futuristic Catamaran to Attempt First Solar-Powered Circumnavigation
PlanetSolar, when completed and covered with 1500 square feet of solar panels, will be the largest solar powered ship in the world. A ship with an audacious agenda: to be the first to circumnavigate the globe powered solely by solar energy.
“In 2010, the first round-the-world trip powered by solar energy will be realized, with stopovers, along the equator, where the maximum amount of sunlight is available. The over 40,000-km voyage will last 120 days, for an average speed of 10 knots. PlanetSolar’s two-man crew will cross the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and finally the Suez Canal, to return to the Mediterranean.”
The PlanetSolar project is being funded by Rivendell Holding AG, a Swiss investment firm that funds renewable energy technology, and is planning to make the world tour attempt in 2010. The founder of the project, Raphaël Domjan, is teaming with Gérard d’Aboville, a maritime legend for being the first to row across the Atlantic ocean, for the voyage.
The ship is still under construction, but when built will be 98 feet long and 50 feet wide, plus some additional surface area exposed when unfurling its solar ’sails’. The ship is being built in Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel, Germany.
The aim of the project and the voyage is to promote renewable energy, and a traveling exhibition called ‘PlanetSolar Village’ will precede the launching of the vessel to educate and spread the word about the mission.
“Our society is dependent on fossil fuels which are in limited supply and which are causing measurable negative effects on the earth’s atmosphere. Within the current context of greenhouse gas taxes designed to promote a greater respect for the environment, as well as the relentless rise in oil prices, it is now time to demonstrate the potential that renewable energies have to offer in the area of mobility. Preserving our planet — by promoting solar energy, energy efficiency and sustainable mobility — is therefore what this project is all about”
For more background information and photos about the project, see PlanetSolar’s site.
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April 17th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Um.. well it would be a site to see,but really don’t you think we should go in the direction of maybe a new energy resources because the % of solar energy is like 1% of the world’s renewable resources??? if you want a Invention ideal from me that will help by multiplying solar energy through a generator process that is nothing like you have seen or herd of and to tell you it has very little to none energy wast but other then take cool boat… “real cool” maybe the next generation could go that rout and help technology progress instead of that ITER nuclear fusion reactor in 2009/2010 maybe that will put all of you out of a job…
April 17th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Solar-powered ships have been circumnavigating the globe for hundreds of years using the extremely refined process know as “sailing” (all wind is solar generated).
April 17th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
These fellows are doing a great job of having fun and collecting money to do it.
Nothing really new – unless it turns turtle in bad weather and then people can say “told you so – solar is no good”.
I just love these rich boy things! They make the trip and then they can get invited to the green parties with Begley and others like him. Everyone can walk around telling each other how wonderful they are and what a wonderful thing they have done.
I really think they could find something a lot more useful to do with the bucks – if they were interested in that type of thing of course.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
@brickman – I was going to put a disclaimer about sailing in there, but thanks for the reminder. True sailing ships going mainstream would be a really cool clean transportation solution.
@russ – Yeah, doesn’t that sound like the life? Build a dream ship and go on an adventure…
April 18th, 2009 at 2:16 am
As for practical uses of solar sailing, I recall about 20 years ago while attending an energy conference in Europe there was an interesting story about some local fishermen who were using small solar power fishing boats in a relatively large lake. It not only saved them money on fuel, but the electric populsion didn’t scare the fish away either.
Roland of ND
April 18th, 2009 at 3:40 am
popurls.com // popular today…
story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…
April 18th, 2009 at 4:10 am
very cool
April 18th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Whats wrong with using just wind like its been done for thousands of years? Direct mechanical motive force, instead of this insane solar –> electrical –> storage –> mechanical conversions.
April 18th, 2009 at 5:25 am
I studied boat design for five years and I can tell you now that a boat deck as shown above can only be used in fair weather sailing. Typical ocean going boats do not have decks like that because they can be turned into wings. Then what happens is that the wind uses the deck as a lever to capsize the boat in the water.
Poor design. Looks like some college project.
April 18th, 2009 at 6:25 am
The Government should give people that want solar panels for there roofs interest free loans to get them. The min payment to repay the loan should be the same price as there current electric bill
Think about how much less oil American would use if every roof in America had solar panels on it
if you think this is a good idea then write your senator. You can find there contact info here http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
April 18th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Free – I think it is a hand out begging. You probably want free installation and lifetime service as well!
If the gov did that then everyone would need super size since there would be zero incentive for conservation.
That would turn into the biggest boondoggle of all times.
Ask not what you can do for your country but what your country can do for (give) you!
April 20th, 2009 at 5:50 am
[...] engineers and scientists are building a $13 million catamaran called Planet Solar, that will be the world’s largest solar powered boat. It will be the first to circumnavigate the globe powered solely by solar [...]
April 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Now, put the body underwater in the calm’s found their, put the solar collector in combination with wave generation on the surface of the water, safe from sudden gusts of wind that might encourage it to take flight, and you have a practical means of realistic cargo transport on the Oceans of the world! Dope runners from Columbia make very safe and secure runs in diesel powered vessels of this nature, on a regular basis, much to the chagrin of American authorities!
February 18th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
YAY all of the pictures are broken! YAY!