PlanetSolar Turanor will be berthed at Canary Wharf from Saturday to Monday
The world’s largest solar-powered boat is visiting the capital this weekend as it completes a research expedition along the Gulf Stream.
The 115ft PlanetSolar Turanor will be berthed at Canary Wharf from Saturday to Monday 2 September, its first visit to the UK.
The remarkable vessel made headlines in 2012 for completing the world’s first circumnavigation on solar power alone.
It has spent the last four months in the Atlantic being used as a research platform by the University of Geneva.
The PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition set out to take biological and physical measurements along the length of the Gulf Stream, the warm north Atlantic current that has a big influence on UK weather.
“Following the DeepWater expedition, there is now a wealth of physical, chemical, and biological data housed at the University of Geneva, and which is beginning to undergo exhaustive scientific scrutiny,” Professor Martin Beniston said.
“Although the data has not been analysed yet, we have noticed some very interesting trends, especially with regards to the production of aerosols by sea sprays.”
During its voyages, PlanetSolar travels at an average speed of 5 knots, with power coming from 512 square metres of solar panels.
Subscribe to the print version of MBY
Subscribe to a digital version of MBY
