Planetsolar

H.S.H Prince Albert, Alexandre, Louis, Pierre, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Marquis des Baux, was born on March 14, 1958.

His Highness is the son of Prince Rainier III, Louis Henri-Maxence-Bertrand, (May 31, 1923 – April 6, 2005) and Princess Grace, née Kelly, (Philadelphia (U.S.A.) November 12, 1929 – Monaco, September 14, 1982).

On Wednesday, April 6, 2005, H.S.H. Prince Albert II succeeded his Father, Prince Rainier III. On July 12, 2005, at the conclusion of the official mourning period, the Prince’s accession was celebrated.

H.S.H. Prince Albert had been assisting his Father in state affairs since 1984.

In June 2006, H.S.H Prince Albert II created the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, dedicated to protecting the environment. It promotes the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources, and places mankind at the heart of its projects. It supports the implementation of innovative and ethical solutions in three key areas: climate change, biodiversity, and water management.

In January 2009, H.S.R. Prince Albert II embarked on a three-week scientific journey in Antarctica. This trip followed two previous expeditions undertaken in 2005 (Spitzberg) and in 2006, when H.S.H reached the North Pole in a sled after walking for several days.

In October 2009, H.S.H. Prince Albert II was successively awarded the Teddy Roosevelt Medal at the United States Congress, and the Roger Revelle Prize at the University of California, San Diego. These two decorations were bestowed upon him for his actions toward environmental protection.

“Given the progress she has made possible to achieve in the use of solar energy, the PlanetSolar adventure is a significant time, and I am happy that the Principality of Monaco and my Foundation were associated with it in 2012. Everything that fosters the development of a new energy model must be supported, because it is an invitation to imagine new solutions, to overcome habits, and above all, to deny the limits of possibility.”

Ed Begley Jr. is a six-time Emmy nominated actor who has been embracing solar energy, electric vehicles and championing environmental causes for decades.  Ed serves on the Board of Governors for the Motion Picture Academy and is an environmental leader in the Hollywood community who regularly shows up at Hollywood events on his bicycle and in electric vehicles.

Ed has served as Chairman of the Environmental Media Association and currently serves on the boards of Green Wish, the Coalition for Clean Air, the Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods and the advisory board of the Union of Concerned Scientists.  Ed has authored several books on sustainable living and has received awards from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Coalition for Clean Air, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the Jane Goodall Institute and many others.

Actress Rachelle Carson Begley is the other half of America’s Greenest Couple and is one of the most recognized women in America’s green community.  She was practically born to be an environmentalist, having been named after Rachel Carson, author of the book “Silent Spring” and mother of America’s modern-day environmental movement.

Rachelle is known as the hilarious “reluctant environmentalist” on the Begley’s hit TV show “Living with Ed”, but behind the scenes she is a highly sought after environmental speaker who serves on the boards of Green Wish and Green America.  Rachelle is listed as one of the top modern-day women eco-heroes in Glamour Magazine and is known for her philanthropy and support of nonprofits.  Rachelle is an outspoken advocate for health and wellness and can regularly be seen on the pages and covers of green magazines geared towards women.

I know that solar works, since it’s been powering my house and charging my car since 1990.  We strongly support Planet Solar on their mission to demonstrate that solar can literally… circle the globe

Chuck Leavell is one of the most sought after and admired keyboardists of our times. He has recorded and/or toured with The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, George Harrison, John Mayer and many more artists. He has been the keyboard player for The Rolling Stones for over 30 years and is also a solo artist in his own right. Chuck is also a revered environmentalist and has authored several books on forestry and environmental issues. He is co-founder of The Mother Nature Network, which is the most visited independent environmental site in the world. Visit: www.chuckleavell.com for more information.

I congratulate PlanetSolar on the incredible success of their around the world trip of the MS Turanor PlanetSolar boat, powered only by the rays of the sun. This is a milestone accomplishment for clean, green energy and will no doubt help bring to the attention of the masses the progress and improvements made in the solar power arena. It is inevitable that we move from finite sources of energy into the infinite sources, and the work of PlanetSolar will certainly help get us there. Well done and keep up the wonderful work!

Achieving the first World Tour with a solar boat is the achievement of a dream in the first place.
I do not think PlanetSolar is the prototype of future ships, however, I consider it as a formidable demonstration of the potential lying within renewable energies, in particular solar energy. Who would have believed a few years ago that a battery powered ship weighing approximately 100 tonnes would be able to operate without any help in adverse conditions? As a matter of fact, this undertaking is to be considered as a long -term project, those who are familiar with the marine environment know how trying it is and how a world tour spread over two years without any energy issue is a proof of perfect reliability.

It is also a remarkable example of excellent energy management which is exactly the problem we are facing right now as individuals or society.
Such are the reasons that made me so enthusiastic about this project. I am proud to have believed in it from the start and to have contributed to its fulfilment.

Yello is a Swiss band consisting of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank which has been internationally known for 30 years already. They successfully managed their way to the top of the music charts in the entire world thanks to their hit « Oh Yeah ». After revolutionising electronic music through innovative sounds and futurist melodies, Yello has rocked a generation with more than 20 studio albums. The mythical band of the 80′s is now coming back on stage as godfather and official composer of the PlanetSolar soundtrack.

Partnership promoting sustainable mobility

Willing to get involved in favour of a vision with alternative energy, Dieter Meier and Boris Blank are joining the solar adventure in order to pass on their message to the whole world.

Music is an excellent tool for delivering a positive message. We share PlanetSolar values and spirit; hence, it comes as very normal to us to join this project that is part of a sustainable approach.

The PlanetSolar project is part of the Vernian endeavours; humanity’s hope for a better future in a world that seems to be calling into question all the dangers that threaten it. While reading about this research programme on innovative, environmentally sound vehicles, my thoughts turned to Jules Verne’s novel ‘The Begum’s Fortune’, which juxtaposes a vision of short-term profit-making at the cost of destruction with a vision that embraces both nature and mankind. Even though it is a bit exaggerated in certain aspects, this ecological opus depicts all our own contradictions and hopes. In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industrialists, financiers and academics to work together on an ‘extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds’, I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking unthinkable questions about its own survival. A special thank-you to my great-grandfather Jules Verne, who gave the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and the inspiration behind such an exciting, valuable project.

As a European citizen involved in the preservation of the natural environment – and in particular the sea – I am only too happy to join the Franco-Swiss PlanetSolar team. Technological applications on hybrid vehicles that use solar energy will prove useful. The team’s goal is to prepare for a round-the-world voyage using photovoltaic energy. Future use of fuel cells seems completely sensible to me, so that we can leave a cleaner planet behind for our heirs. This non-polluting electric boat will serve as a laboratory and will efficiently help promote an economical and ecological propulsion system as well as stimulating innovation and research into this technology. After observing the year-to-year degradation of our environment, it is now essential to take steps towards sustainable development, particularly for the sake of our children’s future.

This is a great technological adventure, where men will be challenged by nature and will also learn about and share the immense possibilities of solar energy. This is one of the few adventures in this world that has never been done before and will be exciting to follow. I love the spirit of adventure and I take environmental issues very seriously, so I would like to congratulate Raphaël Domjan. He will inspire governments and the people of the world to take care of our only nest and home, our lovely blue planet.”

To help safeguard the future of our planet, man should use alternative energies more and more because it’s obvious that, one day, fossil fuel shortages will compel the world to use them. We have two free energy sources that we must take advantage of now: the wind and the sun. Based on my five solo round-the-world trips – one of which was against the winds and dominant currents and was powered solely by wind – it seems quite logical to me to support a solar-powered round-the-world voyage. This technological adventure should have great appeal to all those who take care of our planet. I hope that PlanetSolar will find the necessary partners so they can successfully travel the Vendée Globe route, while setting an unprecedented time record. Be sure to join me in supporting this ambitious project!

Un très beau projet, qui rassemble les technologies les plus avancées sous le pont d’une réalisation futuriste, fruit de l’imagination et de l’inspiration d’une équipe en route vers les transports de l’avenir. Un avenir propre et résolument décidé à entretenir nos activités souvent débridées, en empruntant cette fois les forces de la Nature.Bouger encore plus en polluant encore moins, faire du Soleil la chaudière de nos nouvelles machines.

After taking part in round-the-world racing as a crew member for Éric Tabarly on Pen Duick VI in the 1970s, he made a name for himself with his scientific expeditions, attracting media coverage that did a great deal to raise awareness about environmental knowledge, research and protection. After being made an Officer of the Légion d’honneur in 2006, Jean-Louis Étienne became the director of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 2007.

I wish you all the best with this technical and sporting maritime adventure,” he writes, “which opens up the way for a new era in navigation with the first round-the-world trip using solar energy. What a challenge! We’re counting on you.

Former Managing Director of the World Economic ForumAndré Schneider, after having been a professional musician in major classical orchestras, developed his first experiences when IBM decided to go into services and asked him to create an IT consulting practice in Geneva, working throughout Europe; he then expanded his experience joining the World Economic Forum and was instrumental during his 12 years in creating the world’s leading global multi-stakeholder platform and finally globalizing this concept by expanding it around the world, with special emphasis on China and the Middle East.

The development of renewable energies is crucial for a sustainable future for us all. But it is important that we understand that this is not a zero sum game but a new vision for our future to be created. PlanetSolar is one of these great projects that show us this vision and the need for new explorers in this field. Let us learn from the PlanetSolar team’s spirit to inspire us all to help build this new sustainable future.

Architecte visionnaire né en 1945 d’une mère professeur de mathématique et d’un père biogéographe, compagnon de Théodore Monod, Jacques Rougerie a vécu jusqu’à 11 ans en Afrique, en Côte d’Ivoire. Il entre aux Beaux-Arts en 1964 dans l’ex atelier Auguste Perret dirigé par Paul Maymont. Passionné par l’aventure de Cousteau qui rayonne depuis Monaco et celle des premières maisons sous-marines, il entreprend un cycle d’études à l’Institut Océanographique de Paris en 1970 en même temps qu’il intègre l’Université d’Urbanisme de Vincennes ainsi que l’Ecole des Arts et Métiers sous la direction de Jean Prouvé. Il a fondé en 1993 l’Association Espace-Mer avec son ami l’astronaute Jean-Loup Chrétien. SAS le Prince Albert II l’a nommé parmi les Champions de la Monaco Blue Initiative.

completed the first human-powered circumnavigation of the earth from 1994 to 2007. He crossed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on a high-tech pedalo, traversed North America on rollerblades, cycled and walked across India and the Himalayas, etc.

Every example that illustrates just how quickly humanity burns up its own resources – i.e. those of the earth – should be welcomed. PlanetSolar, in particular, demonstrates what man can do when he uses his imagination and enthusiasm, and questions his own priorities. The originators of this project show that the impossible is possible, and that our perceptions of the impossible are just a temporary illusion, laid bare by the visionaries of the future. I applaud their initiative with all my heart.

A sense of wonder is the first step towards respecting our planet. Having run around the world, I often tell schoolchildren and audiences that you have to ‘know how to remain a child, astonished by the beauty of the world’. Have the courage to dare… keep being astonished… that’s what really counts. Nicole and I offer our heartfelt support to PlanetSolar, because it seems to us to reflect the very essence of adventure. Having the courage to dare… setting off into the unknown… showing respect for other people and the planet. It was so often clear to us – throughout the thousands of kilometres we covered on five continents – just how much the sun means life, strength, warmth, hope… we can only encourage and believe in the success of PlanetSolar for a future that respects our planet, and to keep the dream of wonder alive in us all! Never give up, you can do it… Good luck.

How could one be anything other than enthusiastic about a project that blends symbolic and pratical aspects harmoniously? The sun, by far the most important source of energy in our local universe, the source of life on our planet since the beginning, and now – thanks to man’s ingenuity – a source of civilisation; because ‘peaceful coexistence’ between man and nature is now one of the major for our civilisation. One small step in the direction suggested by the PlanetSolar team would, in my view, amount to a giant leap for mankind.

I believe that solar energy represents the future. It could lead to better conservation of the planet. Therefore, the PlanetSolar project will be an excellent demonstration to the general public; they can become fully aware of this earth-friendly reality.”

Ever since his first solo Pacific crossing on a 19-foot sailing boat in 1962 at the age of 23, Kenichi Horie has completed many ocean adventures. He was the first person in the world to use solar energy for an ocean voyage: in 1985, he completed a solo voyage on a solar boat from Hawaii to Chichijima, Japan. In 1996, he made another solo Pacific crossing using his second solar boat from Ecuador to Japan. He also completed a solo voyage using a wave-powered boat from Hawaii to Japan last year.

It is essential that we use more and more natural energies such as wind, solar and wave power to make this planet sustainable for the future. I believe the PlanetSolar project will send out a strong message and contribute towards enhancing the ecology movement worldwide.

Layne Beachley is the most successful female surfer of all time. Holding the greatest number of consecutive world titles – male or female and pioneering commercial opportunities for women in the sport of surfing. Now athlete to entrepreneur, Layne Beachley is one of Australia’s greatest icons. Her mission is to share the experiences that made her a champion, provide opportunities for young women in sport and inspire others to follow their dreams and reach their personal best.

The time to act is now. There is no longer any excuse to plead Ignorance, a lack of education, infrastructure or resources. Our Oceans are rising, our marine life is dying, species are being wiped out and the weather patterns are becoming more extreme. Regardless of your beliefs surrounding climate change, there is no denying the fact that human existence is affecting the planet in a negative way. Fortunately this is reversible and PlanetSolar is making an indelible impact through action, passion, initiative and innovation. We do have the knowledge and technology to change, all you have to do is make the choice to preserve the future of this planet. Don’t destroy what you came enjoy.