The boat will be an ‘ambassador vessel’ to draw attention to key conservation issues.

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar catamaran is on its way to the French capital – using only the power of the sun – where it will be used as a centrepiece for the COP21 climate conference.

The 35m solar-powered yacht will be officially christened the “Race for Water” boat by the Race for Water foundation, a group aimed at preserving water, on 23 November in Paris. It will be anchored on the Seine River  for the full duration of the two-week long talks.

In its position as an ambassador vessel, the boat will host six environmental conferences and events focused on key issues such as the effects of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and reducing maritime emissions.

The Race for Water boat was the first yacht to complete a solar-powered trip around the world, and was designed and built by PlanetSolar SA. The company has donated the boat to Race for Water, but will remain in charge of the vessel’s energy system developments, which have so far seen 512 square metres of solar panels and 8.5 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries installed.

“We are pleased to be able to make the most of the substantial experience we have acquired throughout the design, optimisation, and operation of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, and to offer our services for projects that require tailor-made energy solutions,” said PlanetSolar SA chief executive Pascal Goulpié.

“The experience acquired in solar navigation will help serve a sector that must reduce its gas emissions and its environmental impact.”

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