Feb 26 2010
The largest solar boat in the world was unveiled by PlanetSolar at the HDW Shipyard. The power for the solar boat will be provided by SunPower’s high-efficiency solar cells. SunPower is a leading producer of solar systems, solar panels, and high-efficiency solar cells. The boat will be launched by PlanetSolar in late March for testing and will commence its world tour in early 2011.
Jorn Jurgens, Senior Director at SunPower, said the company is extremely pleased that the largest solar boat in the world is powered by its high-efficiency solar cells. The company’s technology will allow the world’s most powerful solar boat to travel around the world with expected performance and speed, Jurgens added.
The boat, which was designed by international engineers, will comprise about 38,000 of SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells. With a minimum efficiency of 22%, these solar cells are the most efficient solar cells available commercially in the solar market. The solar catamaran will be the first to travel across both Indian and Pacific Oceans and is expected to the fastest to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The solar boat will stop at Paris, Hamburg and London in Europe, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and San Francisco and New York in the United States. The boat will be displayed for the public at all the stops.