The spirit of exploration is strong with this bunch. A group a scientists, engineers and yachtsmen has banded together to create a marine vessel powered entirely by renewable energy (mainly solar). Planer Solar is a catamaran (double keel), whose top surface will be completely covered by solar cells. These cells are expected to provide power for the boat, both for propulsion and other on-board power consumption. The US$ 13 million project should be completed sometime next year.

Construction is under way. The 98 feet (30 meters) long vessel will feature about 5100 square feet (490 meters squared) of photovoltaic cells. The project, funded by Rivendell Holding AG from Switzerland, is basically a proof of concept, to be used for the sipping industry, in order to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel. The crew aims to circumnavigate the globe in 120 days, travelling at an average speed of 10 knots. The last big solar powered boat to make a milestone maritime trip was the Sun, which crossed the Atlantic in 29 days.

Here's a rendering of what the boat should look like once finished. If future spacecraft looked like this, it would be great!

Image credit: PlanetSolar.org

See more info and pics on PlanetSolar.