A Solar Race Around the World

garzpacho writes "In Switzerland, two teams are vying to be the first to circle the globe in a solar powered vehicle--one team in a boat, the other in an airplane. The boat, a two person trimaran, is the brainchild of PlanetSolar, who hopes to circumnavigate the world In 80 days. Solar Impulse is fielding the single-pilot plane, which will be capable of taking off under its own power and flying all night. Both groups hope to bring greater attention to solar power, which they believe is more appropriate for alternative transportation than for automobiles."

Comments

Re:Sailboat?

[Plunky]

But not more reliable. Solar panels could be installed inside a hard shell of (say) lexan and easily survive a hurricane.

Unfortunately a trimaran covered in solar panels is the worst kind of boat to be in during a hurricane, because its got lots of non removable surface area and its very light. A friend of mine was on board his trimaran during Hurricane Georges in 1998 and he was flipped three times.

Sails and masts are likely to be damaged by the wind.

Sails can be removed, and masts are very strong. I was on board my boat during Hurricane Lenny and the strength of the mast and rigging was not an issue. In olden times with weaker rigging it might have been, but they used to take spars down when not in use.