You are here: Home / Boats / World’s Largest Solar-Powered Ship Completes Atlantic Crossing

World’s Largest Solar-Powered Ship Completes Atlantic Crossing

December 2, 2010 by 4 Comments
Facebook Twitter Stumbleupon Digg Email Reddit Tumblr

After almost two months at sea, the TURANOR Planet Solar sun-powered ship has finally made it across the Atlantic on the first part of its world-spanning voyage.

The TURANOR left Monaco on September 27th and docked in Miami, Florida on the 29th of November. It was a long journey for the world’s largest solar-powered ship. With over 500 square meters of solar panels, The TURANOR can store enough energy to travel three days without direct sunlight at a top speed of 14 knots from its two electric motors. From here, TURANOR heads to Cancun, then on to a world-spanning voyage that includes stops in San Francisco, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi.

In total it took TURANOR about 63 days to make the trans-Atlantic journey. It took the pilgrims just 66 days to cross the Atlantic in the Mayflower (a little Thanksgiving-themed factoid for ya). While it isn’t what one might call a “speedy” ride, I think it was probably a good bit more comfortable than the quarters on the Mayflower.

There’s a lot of potential in solar power for shipping, as well as in wind power. After all, both are free, which means more money in the pockets of the shippers and more competitive pricing. Somebody just has to develop a practical solar-powered cargo ship, and TURANOR is a (small) step in the right direction.

Source: Planet Solar

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Filed Under: Boats, Solar power Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
About Christopher DeMorro

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can follow his slow descent into madness and non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.

  • http://Web Carbon Buildup

    Wow. This is cool, but why did it take so long? With a top speed of 14 knots the trip should have been quicker. Or is that a theoretical top speed? Or was the weather really bad? I’d like to know why they were so slow. I don’t think the Mayflower et. al. averaged more than about seven knots.

  • http://Web Tim Cleland

    It’s cool, but humans have had a green way of ocean travel (sailing) for millenia.

    On a side note, does anyone else think the deck of that boat is really scary looking. One big wave that happens to knock you down and you’ll slide right overboard.

  • http://Web Constantin

    THE SUN IS THE ANSWER !!!

    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DESERTEC-Map_large.jpg

    For illustration: the red squares indicate the space needed for solar collectors to produce the present power for the world (18.000 TWh/y,…300×300 km2), f……or
    Europe (EU 3.200 TWh/y, 125×125 km2) and for Germany or MENA (Middle East and North Africa, about 600 TWh/… Vezi mai multy, 55×55 km2).The square labelled “TRANS-CSP Mix EUMENA 2050″ indicates the space needed for solar collectors to supply the needs for seawater desalination and about two-thirds of the electricity consumption in MENA in the year 2050
    and about one-fifth of the European electricity

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=129308063756704

  • http://Web Name (required)

    Mr. DeMorro,

    It has come to our attention that within you article, you stated in one of the paragraph: “The TURANOR left Monaco, Spain on September 27th…” Please be aware that Monaco is not is Spain and is a Principality located on the South of Europe, near the northern side of the Mediterranean sea. Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and principality, with its current head of state as the Prince Albert II of Monaco.
    Please kindly correct the statement above as to inform future reader of its location.

    All the best