World’s Largest Solar-powered Boat – “PlanetSolar”

470 square meters of solar panels will power an all-electric solar boat that hopes to circumnavigate the world in 120 days! The PlanetSolar catamaran, unveiled for the first time in Germany recently, is the world’s largest solar boat that hopes to embark on a 40,000-kilometer journey with the aim of spreading optimism around the globe about green technology and its enormous potential for the future.

Routes and Stopovers in around the world map

Routes and Stopovers in the around the world journey (Image Credit: PlanetSolar))

More about the boat…

It is built with carbon-fiber composites, the same material that is used to make modern airplane wings both strong and light. The vessel is 30 meters long and 15.2 meters wide and the world’s largest lithium ion battery is on board this vessel. It is a 13 tonne monster that can store 1,300 kilowatt-hours of energy when fully charged. This power will enable the boat to move through the water at an average speed of 13 kilometers per hour. The energy of the battery can last for three whole days without a recharge.

Boat's features and details

About the solar cells…

The vessel is fitted with 470 m² of solar panels as mentioned before. The solar cells used on this boat are also the most efficient cells currently manufactured by SunPower Corp. They have the ability to convert 22% of incident sunlight into electricity. However once installed they must be covered with plastic and transparent composites to protect them from the corrosive effects of sea water and fluctuating temperatures. This reduces the conversion efficiency of the cells to 19%.

38,000 solar cells are installed on this boat and they can generate a maximum electrical output of 100 kilowatts on a sunny day!

Energy efficiency…

Is of paramount importance on a boat powered solely by the sun’s energy compared to a fossil-fuel powered vessel. A couple of innovations have been introduced in order to achieve this efficiency.

Propeller design of "SolarPlanet"

The double-hulled design on the PlanetSolar catamaran reduces the drag considerably compared to standard single-hulled boats of similar size
The unique propeller design named ‘surface-piercing’ propeller, also reduces the drag enormously.

Standard, widely available technology has been used to build this vessel and as such the developers hope that it carries the message that the technology we need to make our lives greener is indeed here and is available and all we need is a shift in our attitudes to enforce the change we would love to see.