PlanetSolar: World's Biggest Solar Boat Unveiled

A huge solar-powered boat has been unveiled that aims to circumnavigate the globe solely using renewable energy as a power source.

The PlanetSolar boat’s official unveiling occurred at the end of February 2010 and, at it, media representatives were able to view the awesome size and shape of this design.

At 31 metres in length, 15 metres in width, 7.5 metres in height and 60 tons in weight, PlanetSolar is the biggest solar-powered boat in the world.

Its frame incorporates 500 square metres of photovoltaic panels that transform solar energy into electricity at a 22 per cent efficiency rate.

Solar-Powered Boat

This solar-powered boat’s construction took over a year to complete and was carried out by a team of shipbuilders led by Knierim Yachtbau. The PlanetSolar project was initiated by Raphael Domjan who – in a press release issued on the company’s website – stated that to be able to view the finished product had produced a “unique feeling.”

“I can't wait to hold the controls in my hand soon, D-day is coming”, Domjan said.

"Each step in the PlanetSolar project is a step further in the technological development of renewable energy sources”, PlanetSolar’s owner, Immo Stroher, added.

“Thanks to ambitious projects like this, scientific research is making progress.”

PlanetSolar: Solar Boat

It is planned that PlanetSolar will take to the water to begin physical trials in two months time. The global voyage is scheduled to take place in 2011 and it is envisaged that – with its array of solar panels – the boat’s average speed will be around 15 kilometres per hour, peaking at 25 kilometres per hour.

PlanetSolar represents another instance of the projected use of renewable technologies to achieve world firsts. In November 2009, Enviro-News reported on a solar-powered aircraft design called Solar Impulse. The goal of this design is to capture a new aerial world record in 2012.

PlanetSolar Boat image copyright of PlanetSolar