[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Un motoryacht che fa il giro del mondo a energia solare, senza consumare una goccia di carburante. Questa è l’impresa che tra il 2010 e il 2011 ha compiuto PlanetSolar e il suo equipaggio di sei persone, tra cui figurava anche il principale finanziatore del progetto, Raphael Domjan. Il record è stato possibile grazie ai 516 square metres of solar panels which recharged lithium ion batteries, weighing a total of 8.5 tonnes, located in the two hulls to lower the centre of gravity. The batteries in turn propelled two 60 kw electric motors that were able to make the boat reach a maximum speed of 14 knots.
Around the world with solar power
PlanetSolar is a 35-metre long and 22-metre wide catamaranconstructed entirely of carbon fibre with a sandwich structure. Between the hull, batteries, engines and solar panels, the boat's total displacement was close to 100 tonnes. During the design phase, a scale model of PlanetSolar was extensively tested in a wind tunnel in order to achieve the best possible hydrodynamics, and also the best aerodynamics, since it would sail in seas where the wind is certainly not to be expected. The construction cost was 12.5 million.
A strange thing for a PlanetSolar motor yacht could not simply go from point A to point Bbut its course had to be constantly updated to keep the sky as cloud-free as possible. The batteries had indeed an autonomy of 72 hoursbut when we encounter a strong depression at low Australian latitudes, the days of cloudy skies are more than three.
PlanetSolar's journey began on 27 September 2010 from the Principality of Monaco and after several stops, including a technical one due to a transmission failure, it returned to Monaco after 584 days. Actually, during its journey it did not achieve one record, but two:
- the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a solar-powered boat: 26 days and 34 minutes;
- the longest distance (non-stop) ever covered by a solar vehicle: 9,904 nautical miles (18,342 km).
Of course, PlanetSolar travelled at an average of 5 knotsless than an ocean-going sailing boat, but the technical result is nevertheless very important, because it proves that it is now possible to power electric motors for long distances and long periods with solar panels. A very tough test of the reliability of this technology, which was passed brilliantly.
Sources: Theverge.com
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