The world’s largest solar powered boat, MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, has completed a research mission from Miami to London.
The boat holds up to 60 people and is powered by a 5554 square feet, 93.5 kW solar photovoltaic installation. The installation feeds into lithium-ion batteries that allow the boat to travel for up to 72 hours without sunlight.
Credit: PlanetSolar
PlanetSolar recently arrived in London, capping off the DeepWater campaign, a journey that lasted almost three months. During the trip, the team collected and examined air and water samples to contribute to their climate change research.
The fact that the boat doesn’t create any pollutants means what we measure is as natural as possible,” Martin Beniston, a climatologist at the University of Geneva, told CNN.
“And in terms of awareness-raising, we’re carrying out the research in a boat which could be connected to the future and reducing our carbon footprint.”
On the way, PlanetSolar stopped in cities across the U.S., Canada and Belgium, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about climate change and the capabilities of solar power.
Since arriving in London, the boat has travelled to Paris, marking the end of its 2013 expeditions.
