MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar boat, set a new record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a vessel powered entirely by solar energy, smashing its own 2010 record by four days. The 115-foot Swiss catamaran traveled 2,867 miles (5,310 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean in 22 days, conducting experiments along the Gulf Stream as part of the PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition.

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", "solar energy", green transportation, Guinness World Records, marine expedition Tûranor, MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, PlanetSolar, PlanetSolar’s Tûranor, solar boat, solar catamaran, solar design, Solar Power, solar powered boat, Swiss solar boat, transatlantic crossing record, TURANOR, World speed record boat

In 2010, PlanetSolar’s Tûranor solar-powered boat completed a 19-month voyage around the world. Now the eco-vessel is set to set sail again over the Atlantic Ocean in order to conduct experiments along the Gulf Stream in a project known as PlanetSolar DeepWater. The 115-foot Swiss catamaran, whose name means ‘power of the sun’ in Elvish, will take measurements on behalf of the University of Geneva.

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Post tags: "solar energy", biobox, Climate Change, eco-vessel, gulf stream, PlanetSolar, planetsolar deepwater, PlanetSolar’s Tûranor, Solar Power, solar powered boat, solar powered vessel, TURANOR, university of geneva

This awesome boat, dubbed Firefly, is a six-person boat that is powered entirely by the sun. The first Firefly was built in 2010 by Dan Baker who decided to construct his own pontoon to cruise around Fraser Lake, British Columbia. Originally the Firefly was powered by two trolling motors and a car charger, but today it’s the ultimate 100% solar-powered lake boat. The Firefly got its name from the 900 LED lights that are positioned on the top of the boat.

Read the rest of The Firefly is a 100% Solar-Powered Boat That Only Costs $2900!

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Post tags: Dan Baker, electric boat, electric motor, Firefly, green boat, green transportation, Solar Power, solar powered boat

Read the rest of Solar-Powered Floating Island is an Off-Shore Green Retreat

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Post tags: dye sensitized thin film PV, floating resort, green resort, solar powered boat, underwater room

Read the rest of Turanor PlanetSolar Solar Boat Completes its Trip Around the World

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Post tags: green boat, green transportation, PlanetSolar, Raphael Domjan, solar panels, Solar Power, solar powered boat, TÛRANOR PlanetSolar

We’ve seen some spectacular sea vessels before, such as the TÛRANOR, the world largest solar powered boat. But here’s a brand-spanking new yacht about to give that old-timer a run for its money. Unveiled just last weekend at the Monaco Yacht Show in Monte Carlo, the Emax E-Volution solar hybrid yacht is a triple threat creation that can run on marine diesel, solar power, and just plain old wind. But to say this boat will put you back a pretty penny would be an understatement – the shining schooner by luxury boat maker extraordinaire Sauter Carbon Offset Design rings in at a cool $40 million.

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Post tags: Emax E-Volution solar hybrid schooner, expensive boats, expensive yachts, green boats, green yachts, hybrid boats, hybrid yachts, Monaco Yacht Show, Ned Ship Group of Switzerland, solar powered boat, solar powered yacht, Souter Carbon Offset Design, yacht show Monte Carlo

“Marvin the Martian” is a 50′ solar-powered cruising catamaran. The 35 sq. meters of photovoltaic panels affixed to its roof supply the vessel with enough energy to be self-sufficient, and the boat is designed to be constructed using the most advanced technologies in the field today. The electrical propulsion has a 30Nm autonomy at 5 kn, while the diesel propulsion can achieve a 487Nm autonomy at 9 kn. And we have to say that it looks pretty spiffy too!

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Post tags: eco boat, eco design, green boat, green design, green transportation, marvin the martian, solar boat, solar powered boat, sustainable boat, sustainable design

Unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, this all-electric “Sofa Boat” is quite an, er, interesting concept. Touted as a “3.5m floating fun platform,” the boat can run for 12 hours on a fully charged battery and is zero-emissions. Still we can’t help but make just one small observation about the design – it’s a floating sofa. We’re not sure that many people will spend $16,064 on this highly specialized water vehicle, but only time will tell. The makers of the Sofa Boat, Abra Marine, will also be releasing a solar-powered version which will be equipped with seven sq. meters of solar panels to generate enough power to propel the boat for up to 10 hours.

Via Ecofriend and BornRich

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Post tags: abra marine, eco boat, eco design, electric boat, green design, sofa boat, solar powered boat, sustainable design, zero emission boat

PlanetSolar, a 31 meter long catamaran, was unveiled yesterday in Kiel, Germany, and its deck  just so happens to be completely covered with photovoltaic panels, making it the world’s largest solar powered boat. While not quite ready to launch yet, the PV-bedazzled boat will debut at Hamburg port’s 821st anniversary celebrations in May, and then undergo testing during the summer before starting on a world-wide voyage to promote solar energy. The makers of the boat say, “PlanetSolar wants to show that we can change, that solutions exist and that it isn’t too late. Future generations are looking to us; our choices will mark the future of humanity.”

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Post tags: catamaran, solar panels, Solar Power, solar powered boat, solar powered catamaran, SolarPlanet, world's largest solar powered boat, zero-emissions

From the solar-powered vehicle that crossed Canada, to a wave-powered boat that took on the Pacific, we’ve seen many impressive feats accomplished by green vehicles. But now the crew at PlanetSolar is attempting to cross a distance far greater with a sleek solar-powered boat that will travel around the world!

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Post tags: alternative energy, autodesk, green design, photovoltaic vehicle, planet solar, solar powered boat, sustainable design, sustainable transportation, world crossing solar boat

When alternative transportation comes to mind, the focus is usually on more eco-friendly land or air travel. After all, the open ocean provides the prevailing winds as a very sustainable power source. We have seen wind-powered cargo ships, and even a wave-powered boat. However, use of solar power for boats had not been explored much, let alone in speedboats. Until now. The Czeers Mk1 prototype is, according to their designers, the first ever solar powered speedboat. Based on the 2006 Nuon Frisian Solar Challenge winner, this marine speedster is making quite a splash. Video after the jump!

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Post tags: czeers, Green Transportation, Solar cells, solar powered boat, solar speedboat

One of the coolest sights in the Sydney Harbour (aside from the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the Pirate Ship) is the fully solar-powered ferry known as The Solar Sailor. This rather unique boat, designed by Robert Dane, uses both solar power and wind to reduce its emissions by half compared to standard ferries. What better way to travel?

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Post tags: Electricity, ferry, solar, solar ferry, solar powered boat, solar sailor, Wind Power