SunPower Corp, a manufacturer of high- efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that its industry-leading solar cells will power PlanetSolar's new solar catamaran. The solar boat, currently under construction, is expected to be the largest of its kind and will be powered exclusively by SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells.

Designed by a team of international engineers, construction of the solar catamaran is expected to be completed in February 2010 and will be the first solar boat to embark on a round-the-world tour. Approximately 38,000 of SunPower's next generation cells will be incorporated into the skin of the catamaran and each cell offers a minimum efficiency of approximately 22 percent. It is expected to be the fastest solar boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the first to cross both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Stopovers include Hamburg, London and Paris in Europe, New York and San Francisco in the U.S., and Singapore and Abu Dhabi, to name a few. The solar boat will be available for public display during each of its stops, offering an educational opportunity to all visitors.