PLANETSOLAR - SWISS MARINE CONCEPT BOAT

The 12.5 million euro Tûranor PlanetSolar, had to start somewhere. Below are some photographs of a scale model and computer generated images of the concept at various design stages. You can see that a number of changes took place for practicality. The wings are not curved on the final boat for example and do not tilt as shown by the models.

The conceptual stage, usually involves producing many models. Indeed, the model and concept shown on this page differ considerably in concept from the earlier trimaran design. As a designer myself, I find that I learn a great deal about the handling and sea-keeping qualities of a hull by making a large scale model and floating it in a test tank. From experience I can tell you that it's far better to experiment with models - far cheaper and less time consuming. Start with a small paper or cardboard model. If that works well, build a 1/20th or if you are brave, 1/10th scale model, which I would then take to radio control for open water testing.

Tûranor PlanetSolar spreads her wings wide to capture the sun

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar sailed almost 60’000 km across every ocean powered only by energy from nature. The conceptual designers and marine architects deserve praise for daring to take Raphaël Domjan's dream to the next stage. 

This magnificent boat (the full size one) entered the record books as the first electric boat to complete a (585 day) world circumnavigation. She arrived at the Hercule Harbour in Monaco on Friday the 4th of May at 2:15p.m.

LINKS:

1. Technical Data Sheet". PlanetSolar. http://www.das-solarboot.de/technical-data-sheet.html. 

2. "Tûranor PlanetSolar". Knierim Yachtbau. http://www.knierim-yachtbau.de/html/gb/yachts/planet-solar.php. 

3. "The solar boat PlanetSolar is launched during ceremony in Kiel". Reuters. http://www.fotoglif.com/f/eid4m89dm74f. 

4. Pilato, Fabrizio (February 26, 2010). "PlanetSolar set to sail in March". Mobile Magazine. http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/02/26/38000-photovaltaic-solar-cells-set-to-sail-in-march/. 

5. Gaylord, Chris (February 26, 2010). "PlanetSolar: The sun-powered super yacht". The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2010/0226/PlanetSolar-The-sun-powered-super-yacht. 

6. "First around the World with solar Energy". PlanetSolar. http://www.planetsolar.org/bateau.en.php. 

7. "PlanetSolar Unveils World's Largest Solar Boat". Environment News Service. February 27, 2010. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2010/2010-02-27-02.html. 

8. Kharrl, Nate (April 13, 2009). "Solar Planet Plans to Circle the Earth on Solar Power". Eco Factory. http://www.ecofactory.com/news/solar-planet-begins-construction-sun-powered-boat. 

9. "PlanetSolar". LOMOcean Design. http://lomocean.com/project.php?id=7. Retrieved 2010-04-24. 

10. Behling, Frank (24 April 2010). "Das Solarschiff fährt" (in German). Kieler Nachrichten. http://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/148722-Das-Solarschiff-faehrt.html. 

11. "A Milestone in the Progress of Solar Mobility". PlanetSolar. http://www.das-solarboot.de/index.html. 

12. planetsolar.org

13. lomocean.com

Tûranor PlanetSolar Swiss promotional development model

THE BOATS SPECIFICATIONS:  

Switzerland
Name:	Tûranor PlanetSolar
Owner:	PlanetSolar SA
Builder:	Knierim Yachtbau, Kiel, Germany
Cost:	€12.5 million
Launched:	31 March 2010
General characteristics
Class and type:	Yacht
Displacement:	85 metric tons
Length:	31 m (35 m with flaps)
Beam:	15 m (23m with flaps)
Propulsion:	2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electrical Motors - 60kW each (max) @ 1600 rpm 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electrical Motors - 10kW each (max) @ 1000 rpm
Speed:	max.: 14 knots (26 km/h) cruising (est.): 7.5 knots (14 km/h)
Crew:	4

PlanetSolar is currently the biggest solar ship in the world (at 17-4-12). 537 m2 of photovoltaic panel power 6 blocks of lithium-ion batteries. This technology offers maximum power and energy density, thus enabling a navigation time that is unmatched to date!  

Raphael Domjan and Gerard d Aboville admire the development model of the Tûranor PlanetSolar

Gerard d Aboville and Raphael Domjan with the original PlanetSolar trimaran model design

Design concept - Construction -  Raphael Domjan  -  PROMOTIONAL TOUR 2012

English - Swiss - French - History - Links - Homecoming

2013 Geneva University Deepwater Gulf Expedition

London -  Paris - Rio de Janeiro - Gerard d'Arboville

Tûranor PlanetSolar Swiss boat concept drawing of the hull underside & catamaran model topside

SOLAR BOAT LINKS  - 

• Solartis, Solarboats builder in Besançon, France

• ZHolar, new solarboat on Zurich lake, Switzerland

• Projet Lestrheol France

• MWline à Yvonand Switzerland

• Institute of Electrical Energy Technology Germany

• KOPF-Solardesign  GmbH & Co. KG, Germany.

• Solar Storm England

• Solar passengers boat "Sonnenschein" Austria

• Ecocats builder of solar boats England

• Solar Narrow Boat Company England

• http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/04/planet-solar-ca/
  

"Only those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, will!"  -  Henry Dunant

The Solar Navigator - SWASSH (Small Waterplane Area Stabilized Single Hull) test model 2012

The latest Solarnavigator is designed to be capable of an autonomous world navigation set for an attempt 

in 2015 is all goes according to schedule.

A taste for adventure

A heartwarming adventure: pirate whalers V conservationists

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This website is copyright © 1991- 2013 Electrick Publications. All rights reserved. The bird logo and names Blueplanet Ecostar and Blue Max are trademarks ™.  The Blueplanet vehicle configuration is registered ®.  The name Solar Navigator is a registered trademark and the boat design is copyright,  All other trademarks hereby acknowledged.  Max Energy Limited is an educational charity.