The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the largest solar boat ever constructed and the first to have circumnavigated the world by solar energy alone (2010-2012), will be shortly docking in London for its first ever visit to the UK.
Aerial view of PlanetSolar arriving in New York
As the largest solar boat ever built, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar comes in at up to 35m long and 23m wide, depending on whether the solar panels are closed (when it is docked, or experiencing very rough conditions at sea) or open (whilst at sea). It completed the first trip around the world powered exclusively by solar energy in May 2012 – no external fuel source and no CO2 emissions.
Able to travel at an average speed of 5 knots, this journey set a clear benchmark for the importance of green technology and proving its practical applications. The boat uses 512m2 of photovoltaic panels to power six blocks of lithium-ion batteries and is light, durable and completely silent. The rising of the sun each morning is all the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar needs to keep sailing.
Below is a video of the PlanetSolar leg from New York to Boston:
