Ms Turanor – PlanetSolar departing for solar boat expedition – Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar the solar catamaran has left the Mediterranean to continue its trip in the Atlantic Ocean. “We had to overcome some difficult currents, but our batteries were well loaded for the necessary propulsion and safe manoeuvres,” Captain Patrick Marchesseau explains. “We are very happy about the behaviour of the boat under difficult conditions.”

On the next leg of its journey MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar catamaran will further cross the Atlantic. The current routing around the globe (subject to favourable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in several metropoles. In Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Monaco, the project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and renewable energies.

Ms Turanor – PlanetSolar departing for solar boat expedition – Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

Based on favourable weather forecasts, the boat’s start has been rescheduled from spring 2011 to Autumn 2010.

With this 1st solar boat expedition around the world, the project founders and initiators draw the public attention to the concurrent possibilities of regenerative energies and its implications on environmental protection.

1st Solar boat expedition, ‘TÛRANOR PlanetSolar Catamaran’ reaches the Canary Islands - Credit PlanetSolar

The six crew members are planning to circumnavigate the world by boat solely powered by solar energy. The boat will be navigating under Swiss flag, and the project enjoys the full support of the Swiss government.

The six crew members of Ms Turanor – PlanetSolar planning to circumnavigate the world by boat solely powered by solar energy - credit PlanetSolar

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight.

The MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar catamaran was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes of New Zealand and was built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany).

Ms Turanor PlanetSolar crew in Monaco - Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

Several media have been reporting a length of 160 days, which is a preliminary status dating from beginning 2010. According to the press release of September 16, the 1st solar boat expedition around the globe will last 8 months minimum, depending on weather and climatologic conditions even considerably longer.

Ms Turanor - PlanetSolar departs Monaco 27 September 2010 - Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

On the first leg of its journey yacht TÛRANOR PlanetSolar will cross the Atlantic. The current routing around the globe (subject to favourable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in several metropoles. In Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Monaco, the project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and renewable energies.

Ms Turanor PlanetSolar departs Monaco September 2010 - Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

Based on favourable weather forecasts, the boat’s start has been rescheduled from spring 2011 to autumn 2010.
With this expedition, the iniatiors of this project want to focus the public awareness on the importance of renewable energies for environmental protection.

Ms Turanor PlanetSolar departs Monaco 27 September 2010 - courtesy of PlanetSolar

MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is a 31m multihull yacht fitted with a large array of photovoltaic solar panels. She was constructed in 14 months by Knierim Yacht Club, in Kiel, Germany to a design by the New Zealand company LOMOcean Design.   TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is the biggest solar boat ever built with very impressive dimensions, not to mention she is clean and very silent. The goal is to navigate around the world at an average speed of 7.5 knots – no mean feat for a solar-powered craft.

Ms Turanor PlanetSolar departs Monaco 27 September 2010 - Image courtesy of PlanetSolar

The multihull will be a home to four sailors during the round-the-world attempt, and can accommodate up to forty people during the promotional trips planned at each port of call.

MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar catamaran runs solely on energy found in light. The additional removable parts allow her to expose a total of 537 m2 of photovoltaic surface to the sun. This jaw-dropping data make PlanetSolar the biggest solar run ship in the world.

Ms Turanor PlanetSolar departs Monaco 27 September 2010 - Photo courtesy of PlanetSolar

Technical information about MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar

Length: 31m
Width: 15m
Length with flaps: 35m
Width with flaps: 23m
Height: 6.1m
Weight: 95 t
Surface of solar modules: 537 m2
PV panel efficiency: 18.8%
PV installed power: 93.5 kW (127.0 HP)
Average engine consumption: 20 kW (26.8 HP)
Average speed: 7.5 knots (14km/h)
Maximum speed: 14 knots (25 km/h)
Crew: 6
People that can go onboard: 40
Autonomy: Never ending solar navigation

PLANETSOLAR's launch

Catamaran PLANETSOLAR which is the world’s largest solar powered yacht designed to circumnavigate the globe was launched to celebration on the 31st of March 2010.  The PlanetSolar catamaran was designed by Raphael Domjan and built by Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel in northern Germany.

Super yacht PLANETSOLAR – the largest solar-powered catamaran in the world touched the water for the first time on the 31st of March. An enormous and very imposing crane tower over 110 metres, removed the massive 60-ton PlanetSolar from her hangar and placed her delicately into the Baltic Sea where she will remain for a test period of several months before she is shipped to the Mediterranean. The manoeuvre took over an hour and guests enjoyed the spectacle of the “flight” of PlanetSolar in the skies over Kiel in Germany.

The yacht PLANETSOLAR expects to undergo tests and use the propellers for the first time in April. From the 5 to 10 May 2010 the first voyages and celebrations will be held in the port of Hamburg.

 We will keep you updated on developments regarding PLANETSOLAR. Contact the CharterWorld team for further information or to enquire about chartering a yacht for your own private world tour!

Planetsolar 30m solar powered catamaran

A selection of international scientists, engineers and boat builders from Germany and Switzerland have developed the world’s largest solar powered yacht designed to circumnavigate the world. The PlanetSolar catamaran, conceptualised by Swiss designer Raphael Domjan and built by Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel in northern Germany, was unveiled on February 25, 2010 at the HDW Shipyard in Kiel, Germany.  

PlanetSolar is expected to begin testing in late March and will prepare to set sail on its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe in April 2011. With a top speed of 15 knots — she is expected to be the fastest solar boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the first to cross the Pacific. The planned route around the world will start from Europe. It is expected to reach an average speed of 8 knots and cover approximately 40,000km in around 4 months.  

A total of 500 sq metres (about 5,300 square feet) of solar panelling made up with some 38,000 SunPower cells will help to power the yacht.  Each of the new generation cells used has “an efficiency of at least 22 percent”, delivering 103.4kW (138.6HP) making them the highest-efficiency solar cells commercially available. If the day is overcast, batteries below deck store enough energy for several days without direct sunlight. Her design also enables her to easily carve through the water increasing her maximum speeds.   

Catamaran PlanetSolar measures 30m by 15m, is estimated to cost around $24 million, weighs in at 60 tonne and features a sleek eco friendly design likely to influence future trends in yachting. The yacht was constructed by the company PlanetSolar, who have declared “we want to show that we can change, that solutions exist and that it isn’t too late. Future generations are looking to us; our choices will mark the future of humanity.”  

The company PlanetSolar is committed to sustainable development and is particularly motivated by the necessity to develop alternatives to fossil fuels which are in limited supply and causing measurable negative environmental impact. Perhaps we will see further trends in Superyacht building and design leading to a greener approach. Other notable Eco-friendly designs beginning to surface include such designs as Alastair Callender’s Soliloquy.  

The first solar powered boat to cross the Atlantic was the Swiss, 15 meters Solar21 catamaran.  It made the journey between the Canary Islands and Martinique in 29 days at a top speed of 9 knots reaching Miami on March 29, 2007.  

Two crew will man the catamaran PlanetSolar during its world tour and the craft will be available for public displays – able to host up to 50 guests for an educational opportunity at each of its planned stops. Stop over ports under consideration (subject to change) include Monaco, Marseille, New York, Acapulco, San Francisco, Cairns and Darwin, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.