Swiss-Initiative: World’s largest solar boat visits Boston

(swissnex Boston, June 23, 2013)

The world’s largest solar-powered boat, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, successfully docked at Boston’s Fan Pier today and will remain anchored in Boston through Wednesday, June 26. Currently conducting scientific climate change research along the Gulf Stream for the University of Geneva’s DeepWater Expedition, the PlanetSolar boat was welcomed to Fan Pier by the swissnex Boston team and the city of Boston’s chief of energy and environment, Mr. Brian Swett. The first boat to travel around the world exclusively powered by solar energy, the PlanetSolar features more than 5,500 square feet of solar panels and produces zero gasoline or CO2 emissions. The PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition is allowing researchers from the University of Geneva to take advantage of the exclusive features of the solar boat. The researchers are taking physical and biological measurements along the Gulf Stream which will improve our understanding of the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. Boston is PlanetSolar’s final American destination after making prior stops in Miami and New York.