A group of students who visited MS Turanor PlanetSolar in Qatar
Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) invited hundreds of children to jump on board the MS Turanor PlanetSolar last week, to take a closer look at the world’s largest solar-powered boat, which set sail yesterday to continue its maiden voyage around the globe.
The vessel has been travelling around the world without the use of any fuel and made its longest stopover in the Arabian Gulf in Doha to acknowledge the support of QSTec and the development of solar in the region.
QSTec, a Qatar-based solar grade polysilicon company that is a supporter of innovative uses of solar technologies and applications, has been hosting the boat at The Pearl Qatar Pier in Doha since December 17, 2011.
“We are so happy that QSTec has had the opportunity to have so many students come on board to learn about the solar boat, solar energy and new technologies,” said Dr Khalid Klefeekh al-Hajri, board member and chief executive officer of QSTec.
“There are so many uses for solar energy. The people of Qatar have really shown an interest in this boat and it is through initiatives like this that we are able to educate as well as foster new ideas in solar technologies and applications.”
“We are extremely proud to host and be part of such an exciting and ground-breaking project,” said Abdulla Saif al-Mesallam, chief financial officer, QSTec.
“The MS Turanor PlanetSolar is breaking solar energy world records on the oceans and demonstrating first-hand the many potential uses of solar technologies and their applications.”
PlanetSolar managing director Dr Pascal Gouplie recalled that the team received such a warm welcome from Qatar and is pleased to have made their Arabian stopover in Doha.
“It’s so simple. Solar technology works. So far, we have sailed across four oceans and never lost energy. The MS Turanor PlanetSolar is the perfect demonstration of solar energy; just like a dream come true,” he said.
The vessel, powered by 537sqm of photovoltaic cells, has received thousands of visitors of all ages. The latest batch includes hundreds of youngsters from Al-Markhiya Primary and Somaya Primary independent schools for girls, and Ahmed Bin Mohammed Secondary and Tariq bin Zyad Secondary Independent schools for boys.
“I am glad I had this unique opportunity to tour such a fascinating boat and learn all about it,” said Asem Khattab, a Grade 12 student from Ahmed Bin Mohamed Secondary Independent School for boys.
“It is a great way of spreading more awareness about solar power and its usage, and I believe this will help different countries realise the importance of clean energy.”
Hassan Mohamed al-Baker, operator and principal at Ahmed Bin Mohamed Secondary Independent School for boys, felt that building this boat was a
great idea.
“It will definitely encourage a healthier and safer environment, as it uses clean energy,” he added.
Others visiting the German-built MS Turanor PlanetSolar during its final days in Doha include the Qatar Scientific Club and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The first solar-powered trip around the world began in Monaco on September 27, 2010 and is following a route close to the equator. It is expected to arrive back in Monaco in May 2012.
QSTec, with a vision to become a world leading integrated solar energy company is a joint venture formed between Qatar Solar (a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development), SolarWorld AG and Qatar Development Bank.
QSTec’s $1bn polysilicon manufacturing plant, located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, will initially produce 8,000 MTPA polysilicon for use in the solar industry before vertically integrating along the solar value chain.
QSTec has acquired the advanced second generation technology for solar grade polysilicon production from Centrotherm Photovoltaics of Germany.
PlanetSolar was initiated by Swiss national Raphaël Domjan and its headquarters are in Yverdon-les-Bains in Switzerland.
The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, built in Kiel in Germany, is a catamaran functioning solely with solar energy. After two years of design and construction, PlanetSolar is at the origin of numerous technological progresses, notably in the domain of the fabrication of composite materials and in the storage of the solar energy.
PlanetSolar is funded mainly by private partners, such as the Swiss watches company Candino and the German specialist in management of solar energy Immosolar, but also by public institutions such as the Swiss Confederation through Presence Switzerland.
For its world tour, PlanetSolar is turning to the weather forecasts of MétéoFrance. An innovative routing software was specifically conceived for this expedition.
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