Louis Palmer first made headlines 15 years ago when he circled the world in a solar-powered car for 18 months to promote renewable energy and zero-emission electromobility. Now, the 50-year-old Swiss environmental activist wants to double down. His latest project is called Solar Butterfly. It consists of a mobile tiny house pulled by an electric car. The adventure will begin on 23 May 2022 at Bern’s Bundesplatz. After that, the world tour will continue over approximately 200,000 kilometers through ninety countries. Hundreds of events to promote sustainability projects are planned with the Solar Butterfly. The world tour will end in Paris on 12 December 2025, precisely on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement.

From trailer to small power plant at the push of a button

The Solar Butterfly is a 10-meter-long, 2.9 metric ton trailer pulled by a fully electric production car. After a driving stage of up to 300 kilometers, it displays its true greatness. At the touch of a button, the trailer transforms into a “butterfly” by expanding the space on both of its sides and opening its solar panels, forming a 120 m2 surface that generates all the energy required for living and driving via photovoltaics.

30 m2 living and working space 

The mobile home includes a kitchen, bathroom, corridor and 30 m2 interior, which can be used multifunctionally as a TV studio, exhibition space, living room or bedroom (with up to 6 beds). However, the Solar Butterfly is above all intended to attract attention locally and send impressive messages out into the wider world through reports for TV stations and video clips for its own YouTube channel.

When Louis Palmer approached us for a sponsorship, it didn’t take long for us to build enthusiasm for his idea. The concept is right up our alley, as we are working to bring to the market worldwide solutions for the processing of high-voltage cables needed for the manufacture of electric vehicles. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and other well-known Swiss companies are behind this sophisticated project.

The Solar Butterfly: built in our plant in Dierikon 

Komax’s support is significant: in addition to our financial commitment, we are also playing a decisive role in the production process. The Solar Butterfly is being produced in the atrium of our new building. Apprentices from our automation and mechanics departments are also at work. They are taking on all kinds of tasks: wiring solar panels, working on pneumatics and drive technology or, if required, configuring and programming controls.

But our team also has to learn. For example, the lightweight construction includes, composite panels made from plastic waste sourced from the sea. These cannot be screwed and must be glued. Because we are not specialized in this, an external company provides support.

An impressive way to cause a sensation worldwide

The Solar Butterfly will not travel around the globe without intermissions. Several maintenance breaks are planned. The Solar Butterfly is expected to return to Komax for this work as well, where the team will get it ready for the next stages.

Marc Schürmann, Executive Vice President CoC Komax Wire Processing, is extremely happy about this project: “We are excited about the idea of the Solar Butterfly and are therefore supporting Louis Palmer in his endeavor. The project combines two topics that are very important to us – electromobility and sustainability – in an impressive way, and it will cause a sensation worldwide.”

solarbutterfly.org