Three days after the start of the 1st solar boat expedition in Monaco, the MS TÛRANOR Planet Solar yacht proves well on her way to the Atlantic Ocean. The duration of the 1st tour around the world willlast 8 months minimum.
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
