• The Foundation

For a Greener Sky

The Earth’s atmosphere is our most precious asset. It envelops us, protects us, and allows life in all its forms. Today, our atmosphere is increasingly threatened by human activities, and its preservation has become an absolute urgency.

The PlanetSolar Foundation is a Swiss public utility foundation fervently committed to the fight against climate change and environmental degradation, placing the protection of the atmosphere at the heart of its concerns.

Inspired by the success of PlanetSolar, the first round-the-world trip of a boat powered solely by solar energy, the Foundation seeks to instill the same philosophy of innovation and exploration in all the initiatives it launches or supports.

Thus, the Foundation is dedicated to catalyzing progress in the fields of solar energy and decarbonized energies, promoting the development of cutting-edge technologies and the emergence of pioneering solutions.

Through its initiatives structured around three main pillars, it aims to forge a lasting legacy for future generations, honoring the commitment to protect the atmosphere, our most vital common asset.

Our History

The instigators of the PlanetSolar project including the Swiss explorer, Raphaël Domjan, created the Foundation in 2007 with a mutual desire to perpetuate the philosophy of this unique, historic adventure.

Today the Foundation is based in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland). It supports various projects in the fields of solar power and energy efficiency. Raphaël Domjan accompanies a team, which is working on different projects based on the three fields of action, i.e. exploration, the humanitarian aspect and the memory of solar adventures.

THE 3 PILLARS OF OUR ACTION

Exploration

We are determined to always innovate and seek practical solutions to build a clean and sustainable future. We continually explore the frontiers of solar technologies and clean energies to make them not only indispensable but also accessible. Our ambition is to transform these discoveries into concrete solutions to improve our quality of life.

Solidarity

We bring solar energy to the communities that need it the most, providing them not only with sustainable energy resources but also with the know-how to use and maintain them.

Heritage

Through books and exhibitions, or the acquisition of historical prototypes, we celebrate and share the adventure of solar energy pioneers, ensuring that their work continues to inspire and educate people about the necessity of preserving our environment.

Our Team

Raphaël Domjan

Founder and Chairman

Ecological explorer, lecturer

François Pointet

Vice-chairman

National Councillor (Vert-Libéral) and Entrepreneur

Gérard d'Aboville

Founder

Sailor and French politician

Pierre-Marcel Favre

Founder

Publisher

Daniel Domjan

Secretary

Social institution director

Jean-François Affolter

Founder and Treasurer

Professor at HEIG-VD (School of Management and Engineering Vaud)

Claude Nicati

Member

Lawyer, former Member of the Council of State Neuchâtel

Jean-Marc Buchillier

Member

Director of the ADNV (Association for the Development of North Vaud)

Philippe Guénat

Member

Entrepreneur and shipyard director

Caroline Plachta

Member

Head of Public Relations

Marco Simeoni

Member

Founder and Chairman of the Race for Water Foundation

Patrick Marchesseau

Member

Captain, former skipper of PlanetSolar

Erwann Le Rouzic

Member

Captain, former skipper of PlanetSolar

Roland Loos

Member

Entrepreneur, CEO of SolarStratos

Thierry Plojoux

Member

Entrepreneur, pilot

Gauthier Toulemonde

Member

Entrepreneur, adventurer

Lorie Karnath

Member

Eco-Entrepreneur, Molecular Frontiers Foundation

Christian Ochsenbein

Member

Electrical engineer, PlanetSolar crew between 2010-2012

Christophe Ballif

Member

EPFL Professor, CSEM Photovoltaic Center Director

Mark Wüst

Member

Solar boat designer and builder

Pierre-Alain Crépon

Member

Psychologist, speaker, consultant and advisor

Gunter Pauli

Member

Economist and entrepreneur