PLANET SOLAR – UNVEILING OF THE BOAT IN KIEL
February 26, 2010 by admin
25TH OF FEBRUARY
UNVEILING OF THE BOAT IN KIEL
The whole PlanetSolar team is proud to announce that the largest solar boat in the world will be presented to the press and public on Thursday, 25th February, 2010 in Kiel, Germany. Several days later, her propellers will turn for the first time. We will soon go onboard this giant solar boat, capable of making the first world tour powered by the sun.
A CONCENTRATION OF FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY
PlanetSolar is a multlihull vessel topped by a large array of photovoltaic solar panels, constructed by Knierim Yacht Club, in Kiel, Germany. Currently at the design stage, it will be a boat of impressive proportions, and yet it will be both silent and clean. The goal is to navigate around the world at an average speed of 8 knots — no mean feat for a solar-powered craft.
The multihull will be home to two sailors during the round-the-world attempt, and can accommodate up to fifty people during the promotional trips planned at each port of call.
The ideal shape and size of the boat for the chosen route will be determined by in-depth research. The PlanetSolar engineers have to factor in a host of parameters — propulsion, solar panel design, energy storage, materials, and the external environment. A whole range of studies will need to be conducted in areas such as the boat’s hydro and aerodynamics, the materials used, the management and storage of energy and, finally, the power plant and the optimal routing.
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