Mission accomplished! After 18 days of expedition, PlanetSolar II successfully completed, on October 17, the first full crossing of Lake Titicaca using solar energy, as well as the first full circumnavigation of the highest navigable lake in the world with a solar- and electric-powered boat. The outcome of this journey, which was paired with a scientific expedition to analyze the lake’s waters, is crystal clear: Lake Titicaca is a paradise for electric and solar boats!
By the numbers:
- Over 500 kilometers traveled using less than 60 kWh of energy
- More than 65,000 data points recorded by our dataloggers on the vessel’s performance
- 48 scientific water samples collected in Puno Bay and the smaller lake
- Over 100 people came aboard to discover the MS PlanetSolar II
- Our boat, donated to the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca, could have been “sold” dozens of times—it sparked so much interest!
The emotions of Raphaël Domjan
Raphaël Domjan was glowing at the end of this solar and scientific expedition: “Beyond the numbers, it was an incredible adventure. Alone, in a pristine environment, with no detailed maps or infrastructure. For me, it was a dream come true to bring here—on the lake where the Incas believed the Sun was born—a boat powered… by the Sun! But above all, what I will remember is the kindness and warm welcome of the local communities, which will stay forever in my heart.”
Acknowledgements
This expedition was made possible thanks to the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT), and especially oceanographer Xavier Lazzaro. “Thanks to our crew: our captains Louis and Rogelio, our cook Gonzalo, and scientists Javier and Grobert. Thanks to my team: Nadia and Giovanni for communications, Alexis for IT support, and to the Swiss embassies in Peru and **Bolivia,” says Raphaël Domjan.
He also extends heartfelt thanks to WAGO Contact SA and Christian for their crucial support, which allowed for complete navigation data tracking to analyze the performance of a solar boat at high altitude. Thanks to TCL SunPower Global – “my partner for so many years!” – for providing the world’s best solar cells! Thanks to Soleol Suiza and its founder Jean-Louis Guillet Ganoza, to all our eco-donors, and a special thanks to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, its Vice President Olivier Wenden, and to Prince Albert II himself, “who has supported my adventures for over 20 years.”
“I hope this expedition will inspire the people of this region to switch to solar-powered electric boats—powered by the very star that their ancestors revered. May we thus help protect this fragile jewel from the effects of climate change and pollution,” concludes Raphaël.
And he’s returning home with a spectacular gift in his suitcase: “We’re bringing back breathtaking footage captured by our filmmaker Claudio von Planta, which we look forward to sharing very soon.”
We can’t wait!
