The boat, which was unveiled Thursday at the HDW Shipyard in Kiel, Germany, was designed using 38,000 next-generation solar cells that will operate at an efficiency of at least 22 percent, matching the best efficiency of any cells on the market. These cells will generate up to 103.4kW while the engine will only require 20kW powering the boat to an average speed of 8 knots.
The cells will be integrated onto the skin of the 31m long and 15m wide boat, to generate the solar energy required to power the boat.
"We are excited that the solar-powered boat is now a reality," said Raphael Domjan, CEO of PlanetSolar. "As we embark on the next phase of this project, we look forward to our around-the-world trip, and are confident that SunPower's proven technology will get us there."
The catamaran-style boat is also expected to be the fastest solar boat to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean during its round-the-world trip that will take place next year. During the trip the boat will be available for public display in each of its stopover sites, which will include Hamburg, London, Paris, New York, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.
