Gallery: Solar Ship's Round-The-World Sail Almost Complete
Photo:OpenBCI01planetsolar
Exactly 16 months ago today, a crew of intrepid sailors and alternative energy proponents set sail on a solar-powered luxury yacht, intent on making theirs the first ship to circumnavigate the globe on solar power alone. Today, they've almost reached their goal. We first told you about the [PlanetSolar team](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/09/worlds-largest-solar-boat-begins-round-the-world-voyage/planetsolar-3/) back in 2009, when the boat was little more than blueprints and a dream. The boat was built in just 14 months and set sail from Monaco on September 27, 2010, heading west. Named *Tûranor*, which Tolkien fans will note is an Elvish word for "power of the sun," it's the largest solar-powered boat ever built at 101 feet by 49 feet. That footprint only grows as additional solar panels are unfurled. It's also certain to draw a crowd when it docks at any marina, and that's intentional. At each stop, the PlanetSolar crew talks with government officials, scientists, journalists and the general public, preaching their gospel of solar power. The boat just left Abu Dhabi where it was a featured exhibit at the World Future Energy Summit. After a stop in Doha, it's headed around the Horn of Africa and back to Monaco, hopefully by May. In anticipation of a successful circumnavigation, we bring you a gallery of the *Tûranor*'s accomplishments. *Photos: [PlanetSolar](http://www.planetsolar.org/)*
Photo: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED02welcome-to-miami
Welcome To Miami ---------------- Crossing from Las Palmas to Miami, the *Tûranor* broke the record for a Transatlantic crossing by boat that's solely solar powered. That feat took 26 days, 19 hours and 10 minutes, but didn't use a drop of fossil fuel. To put it in perspective, however, similar boats with sails instead of solar have done the same crossing in less than half the time.
03climate-summit-in-cancun
Climate Summit in Cancun ------------------------ From Miami, the *Tûranor* headed to the UN's World Climate Change Summit in Cancun. After the conference, the ship went through the Panama Canal and crossed the Pacific, stopping at islands along the way until reaching Australia.
04a-look-inside
A Look Inside ------------- The *Tûranor* can hold 40 passengers and crew in luxurious surroundings. After its circumnavigation is complete, the solar catamaran is destined to become a luxury yacht. That's why it features high-end finishes.
05teachable-moments
Teachable Moments ----------------- The PlanetSolar team made sure to extol the virtues of solar power in every port they visited. "We've done a lot of stop-overs to show the boat, collaborate with universities and showcase the biggest solar boat ever built," said project spokesperson Rachel Bros de Puechredon. "At each stopover, the boat generated a lot of enthusiasm around the world." Here they are in Phuket, Thailand, talking to a crowd of locals and media.
06hong-kong-harbor
Hong Kong Harbor ---------------- After six days of monsoons and rough weather in the South China Sea, the *Tûranor* made it from the Philippines to Hong Kong, where it stayed for six days of presentations.
07electric-power
Electric Power -------------- Electric motors are located in each hull of the catamaran. They received some service while the ship was docked in Singapore, but otherwise provided reliable service. "The whole expedition is a big challenge. But we did not face any major technical problems so far," said Bros de Puechredon. "Of course bad weather sometimes played a role on our schedule but we are happy that the technologies, navigation systems and itinerary were so far the right one and that we are proving that solar energy is reliable, safe and efficient."
08a-gift-of-water
A Gift of Water --------------- More than 300 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka, the PlanetSolar team was flagged down by a group of fishermen in need. "They had no freshwater left so we gave them twenty of our bottles of water," said project founder and expedition leader Raphael Domjan, who said it may have been the first ever rescue mission launched from a solar-powered boat. "I cannot recall a time when someone thanked us in such a sincere way. For the whole crew, this really was a strong emotional moment that will remain engraved in our memories."
09solar-cells
Solar Cells ----------- With additional panels that fold out, the *Tûranor* has over 5,780 square feet of photovoltaic cells with 18.8 percent efficiency. Combined, those cells can put out over 93.5 kW into the ship's lithium ion batteries.
Oliver Goldenbow10leaving-mumbai
Leaving Mumbai -------------- The PlanetSolar team sailed all the way from Phuket, Thailand to Mumbai, India using not a drop of fossil fuels. Due to [Navy Week celebrations](http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/dec/061211-Heart-and-solar.htm), the *Tûranor* had to cut short its visit to Mumbai. But the crew still had the chance to host a presentation. Then, it was off to Abu Dhabi to be a featured guest at the World Future Energy Summit. Abu Dhabi was the *Tûranor* 's second to last stop before returning to Monaco and completing the circumnavigation. Next up is Doha, then back to Europe. "We have made more than 48,000km \[29,825 miles\]," said Bros de Puechredon. "We should be back in Monaco in May 2012"
