Company

PlanetSolar SA

In 2004, a crazy project germinated in Raphaël Domjan's mind: to travel the world aboard a boat powered exclusively by solar energy. In 2008, the necessary funds for carrying out this project were brought by Immo Stroeher, a German entrepreneur passionate about solar technology with solid experience in the field. Designed and built in 18 months, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar becomes - to date, the largest solar boat ever built.

The worldtour started on September 27, 2010 in Monaco, in front of the HSH Prince Albert II.
The boat returned 584 days later, on May 4, 2012, achieving the first worldtour powered only by solar energy. This success demonstrated the maturity and the efficiency of photovoltaic energy.
The vessel's "second life", which was meant to illustrate her large practical applications, could begin.

Then as,  from June 2013, she transformed into a scientific platform, the only one of her kind. Indeed, due to the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar's special features, the measurements collected were not distorted by pollutant gases, the boat was then the perfect tool for the "PlanetSolar DeepWater" expedition. This mission, led by professor and climatologist Martin Beniston from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), strived to harvest new data along the Gulf Stream in order to better understand the complex climate system.
Moreover, the huge catamaran can welcome up to 60 persons on board. At every stopover, this feature allowed PlanetSolar to keep the public, the media and the schools informed on climate issues involved in the expedition "DeepWater".

The first mission of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar's second life was a real success. The boat travelled over 20'000 kilometers - including over 8'000 which were dedicated to the scientific mission. She demonstrated throughout this journey that she could be used for practical purposes.

Stay tuned for 2014 campaign!

| Other | Photovoltaic energy