In support of its mission to build stronger relationships between scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators in Massachusetts and Switzerland, swissnex Boston is welcoming the world's largest solar-powered boat to Boston's Fan Pier for its inaugural visit, June 22-26. The first boat to travel around the world exclusively powered by solar energy, the MS Turanor PlanetSolar features 29,160 solar panels and produces zero gasoline or CO2 emissions.

The boat is currently carrying out unique scientific measurements along the Gulf Stream as part of the DeepWater expedition led by the University of Geneva to better understand effects of climate change on the ocean. Planet Solar is making three stops in the United States in Miami, New York and Boston.

Together with PlanetSolar and the University of Geneva, swissnex Boston is hosting a series of educational, business and media events about solar technology and climate change, featuring partners from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Boston Children's Museum, Greentown Labs, Museum of Science Boston and the MIT Energy Club.

Private and public scheduled events include:

+ A below-deck Media Event featuring PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition Project Leader Professor Martin Beniston, the PlanetSolar scientific team, and other representatives from the University of Geneva and Boston;

+ A Swiss-Boston Clean Tech Night of Networking with leaders from clean tech, government, innovation and academia;

+ "Build your own solar boat" children's workshops at Boston Children's Museum;

+ DeepWater expedition presentation at the Museum of Science, Boston;

+ "From the Alps to the Atlantic: Water in a changing climate," a scientific conference with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

+ "Boston is a perfect port of call for the University of Geneva's PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition based on the city's strong commitment to clean energy, technology innovation and cutting-edge research," said Consul Felix Moesner, swissnex Boston director.

"swissnex Boston is proud to bring together such a venerable group of global leaders in the Switzerland and Boston scientific and educational communities to discuss clean energy ideas and applications for existing technologies."

"This project utterly reflects our University's missions as it combines education, research and public awareness. It makes perfect sense that Geneva is involved in such a project. The city of Calvin is indeed the cradle of global governance and a research hub where key climate change related issues are discussed by international organizations and world decision-makers," said Jean-Dominique Vassalli, rector of the University of Geneva.