On its way around the world using only the power of the sun, with no fossil fuels at all, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar visits the Galapagos Islands. The largest solar ship in the world has entered today, Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 9.00 local time (15.00 hours UTC) in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal).
The islands, which belong to Ecuador, are a unique natural paradise in the world and in 1978 were included in the UNESCO list of world natural heritage. Sustainable development plays a special role for this region. During their stay, the PlanetSolar team will meet with various politicians and officials active in the field of nature protection.
The visit has been made possible by a cooperation with WWF, which has been supporting and implementing conservation activities in the Galapagos Islands for more than 40 years, in close collaboration with local and national authorities, the public and private sectors and the local community. WWF's work in the Islands aims at a sustainable Galapagos in the future, and foresees a maximum use of renewable energies, in particular as a pillar for sustainable tourism. In this context, the TÛRANOR PlanetSolar draws in the Galapagos Islands a concrete picture of the technological possibilities existing today in the field of renewable energies.
Raphaël Domjan, founder of PlanetSolar: "For us it is an extraordinary experience to be in the Galapagos and to be able to cooperate here with the WWF and the Ecuadorian Government."
After a stay of several days in San Cristóbal, the solar catamaran will also visit Santa Cruz, the most populated island of the Galapagos archipelago. TÛRANOR PlanetSolar is expected to leave the islands in early February.
Authors: Val
