BIOGRAPHY

Raphaël Domjan, eco-adventurer and speaker

Raphaël Domjan completed the first solar-powered circumnavigation of the globe in history.

An engaged eco-explorer, inspiring speaker, visionary entrepreneur, navigator, pilot, and mountaineer, Raphaël Domjan has made his mark with pioneering achievements in experimental ecology.

In 2001, he co-founded Horus Networks, the world’s first solar internet hosting company. In 2004, aware of the urgency of climate change, he conceived the PlanetSolar project. This ambitious endeavor aimed to demonstrate the potential of solar energy by completing the first circumnavigation of the globe with a boat entirely powered by solar energy. Between 2010 and 2012, aboard the solar catamaran PlanetSolar, this vision became a reality.

In 2015, accompanied by navigator Anne Quemeré, he traveled over 300 kilometers in the Arctic Ocean with a solar-powered kayak during his attempt to traverse the Northwest Passage, marking the first solar-powered polar navigation.

Author and co-author of several books, Raphaël Domjan has also produced documentaries about his solar adventures. As President of the PlanetSolar Foundation, he continues his commitment to promoting electric mobility and solar energy, both in Switzerland and internationally.

In 2020, Raphaël became the first person to perform a solar skydive and parachute jump from an electric aircraft. Then, in 2021, he piloted HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco on the first electric aircraft flight by a head of state.

And the adventure continues… Today, Raphaël is the initiator and pilot of the SolarStratos project, an ambitious venture aiming to reach the stratosphere with a solar aircraft.

His commitment to climate protection leads him to give dozens of lectures each year on every continent, sharing his message of hope and innovation for a decarbonized future.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Jaunin Roger, Domjan Raphaël (2010) – « PlanetSolar », Lausanne: Favre, 144 pp.
  • Jaunin Roger, Domjan Raphaël (2012) – « PlanetSolar, Premier tour du monde à l’énergie solaire », Lausanne : Favre, 170 pp.
  • Javet Raphaëlle, Domjan Raphaël (2018) – « Pionniers et aventuriers de l’énergie solaire », Lausanne : Favre, 136 pp.

FILMOGRAPHY

  • À la poursuite du soleil (2012) – film-documentaire (52 minutes) réalisé par Olivier Vittel, produit par la Fondation PlanetSolar.
  • SolarStratos « la naissance d’un rêve » (2021) – film documentaire (52 minutes) réalisé par Stéphane Chopard et Eric Beaufils et produit par Gédéon

AWARD & HONOURS

  • Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles “Monaco”
  • Co-Founder of the EcoExplorer Society, Monaco
  • Member of the New York Explorers Club
  • First circumnavigation by solar powered boat : «Guinness World records»
  • Swiss Solar Prize, Zurich (2012)
  • European Solar Prize, Berlin (2013)

ACHIEVEMENTS

Now
Initiator and pilot of SolarStratos, Mission « To the edge of space », since 2015

2021
Pilot for the first flight in history of a Head of State in an electric plane and first flight of an electric plane in the airspace of the Principality of Monaco

2020
First solar jump from an electric airplane and first solar skyfall
The first air race from Lausanne to Aix-en-Provence in an electric airplane

2015 
First solar polar navigation in the Northwest Passage

2012
Expedition leader of the first solar-powered circumnavigation in history

2007 
Co-founder and President, Foundation « PlanetSolar» to promote solar energy

2004
Founder of PlanetSolar, the first solar-powered circumnavigation

2001
 Co-founder of Horus Networks Sàrl, the first solar internet host in the world

PARTNERS