Following what was a successful race at the Monaco Solar & Electric Boat Challenge this month the TU Delft Solar Boat Team are now poised for their main assignment of 2017 – crossing the English Channel.
With their latest race, organised by Monaco Yacht Club, still fresh in their minds they are aiming to cross the English channel in record time. The crossing attempt, will take place in August.
This assignment will challenge the team on a whole new level. For the first time since their inception they will face strong currents, high waves and will be performing in salt water. The window to attempt the crossing is estimated at about four weeks.
Their main assignment for 2017 is crossing the English Channel. They are waiting for favourable conditions and are currently improving the boat.
The TU Delft team competed at Port Hercule, Monaco on Sunday 16 July against solar powered vessels built by other international university students. Thereafter they performed a practical demonstration on the lake at the Centro Velico Avigliana.
Solar boat design
This boat, which will be tested to its limits along the English Channel in a matter of days, is covered in flexible solar panels manufactured by the Italian company Solbian Energie Alternative. The design concept is based on three hydrofoils, two in the front and one at the back.
The shape, size, placement and structure of the hydrofoils are designed to achieve the best stability, manoeuvrability and efficiency. The hydrofoils on the front can be rotated electrically. The boat is both strong and light due to the use of a carbon-honeycomb design. A Data-Acquisition system enables the team to read all data from sensors in real-time.
Record setting team
The team was established in 2005 with students from the faculty of Maritime Technique (Maritieme Techniek). Initially their goal was to win the Frisian Solar Challenge but their repertoire has grown considerably since.
They have been competing in the DONG Energy Solar Challenge, which takes place every two years, since 2006. They won the competition in 2006 and 2008 respectively. In 2016 their boat set a new speed record of more than 50 kilometres per hour. This record made the Guinness Book of Records.
