Solar-powered 102-foot boat debuts

Posted on March 03, 2010
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What is being touted as the world's largest solar boat was unveiled recently at a shipyard in Kiel, Germany.

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Called 'PlanetSolar,' the 102-foot catamaran is powered exclusively by high-efficiency solar cells manufactured by SunPower Corp. The craft will begin its testing this month, about a year in advance of a planned round-the-world journey in April 2011.

Constructed in 13 months, the boat is powered by about 38,000 deck-mounted solar cells, each with a 22 percent solar conversion efficiency. The cells cover about 5,382 square feet of the boat's surface.

The boat, designed by a team of international engineers working under the direction of PlanetSolar SA of Switzerland, is expected to be the fastest solar boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the first to navigate both the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Planned stopovers on the east-to-west voyage include Hamburg, Germany; London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The solar boat will be available for public display during each of its stops.

Comments
2 March, 07 2010, 02:20 PM
By Capt. Graham Pfister

I totally agree with the concept, but 5,382 square feet of solar panels must look ‘coyote ugly’ and could even present a dangerous windage issue.  And at 22% solar conversion efficiency it is not really something to get too excited about.


Solar energy will be a wonderful and exciting way to go once the technology advances, or new ways of converting the suns energy into usable power are discovered.


Don't get me wrong, I applauded this effort by PlanetSolar and I look forward to hearing and seeing more about this remarkable vessels progress around the world.


I fitted three solar panels and a wind generator to my cruising catamaran back in 1984. I lived aboard for four years and cruised from Australia via the Suez Canal to the Caribbean and had the panels and wind generator inputs independently metered so I could monitor the power coming in. The solar panels of the day were very sensitive to any shadow that came across them and were not enough to keep up with the demand.  The wind generator was great for night sailing as it put back what the nav. lights, auto pilot and occasional use of the radar took out.


I presently have a 49’ Environmentally Friendly power catamaran about to be released that will “go further, faster and use 50% less fuel” than any existing power catamarans around the same size. It uses a palate full of the available Green Technologies plus some unique design innovations, but don’t get too excited unless you have deep pockets and are really into doing your part in saving our planet as new technologies come at a high price.


Captain Graham Pfister


President & Lead Designer


Trawlercat Marine Designs

1 March, 03 2010, 01:49 PM
By Charles E. Kanter, AMS
Bravo! Solar power is here and you are demonstrating to the World just how dynamic and flexible this technology is. Solar power has application from the smallest private home to the largest auto manufacturer and most certaily in our marine environment. Your pioneering effort is fully appreciated. On another level, this has great application to the boating industry for powering vessels in water that are restricted from internal combustion engines. I can visualize solar powered water taxis moving quietly and without polluting fumes throughout the crowded waterways. Thank you for building this vessel, I am sure it will be a big success.

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