Monday, July 29, 2013
In May 2012, MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, recognized under the project name PlanetSolar was became the first ever solar electric vessel to circumnavigate the planet. It is the largest solar-powered boat on the planet. The vessel was designed by LOMOcean Design, built by Knierim Yachtbau in Kiel, Germany, and introduced on 31 March 2010.
PlanetSolar is a catamaran (a multihulled vessel consisting of two parallel hulls of equal size) that runs solely on energy found in light. The additional removable parts allow it to expose a total of 516 m2 of photovoltaic surface (solar panels) to the sun. This impressive data make it the biggest solar run ship in the world.
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
- Length: 31 m
- Width: 15 m
- Length with flaps: 35 m
- Width with flaps: 23 m
- Height: 6,30 m
- Draft: 1,55 m
- Weight: 89 t
- Average speed: 5 knots (9.25 km/h)
- Surface area of solar modules: 516 m2
- PV panel efficiency: 18.8%
- PV panel efficiency: 18.8%
- Maximal engine power: 120 kW
- Average engine consumption: 20 kW (26.8 HP)
- Autonomy: never-ending solar navigation
- Crew: 4 members
- Number of people that can go on board: 60
The designer of PlanetSolar, Craig Loomes from New Zealand, has already imagined numerous innovative ships around the world. Several months of research enabled to finish the ideal dimensions and design of this double hull vessel with respect to the chosen journey. Engineers had to optimize the energy collection and stocking but also the aerodynamics, the ship’s propulsion and the choice of materials. The incredibly light carbon structure of this futuristic vessel with electric motorization is extremely durable. PlanetSolar is the biggest solar ship in the world. The 516 m2 of photovoltaic panel power 6 blocks of lithium-ion battery, a technology that offers maximal power and energy density, thus enabling a navigation time that is unmatched to date! Indeed, each new sunrise provides the catamaran with the light needed to continue its journey…Baptized Tûranor PlanetSolar, which means power of the sun in J.R.R Tolkien mythology, this clean and quiet vessel has been launched in March 2010 in Kiel, Germany, in the shipyards ofKnierim Yachtbau after 14 months of construction.
Via: planetsolar.org
