ERMELO – Visitors to the Merino Mall were treated to a glimpse of the future as the remarkable SolarButterfly, the world’s largest solar-powered vehicle, made a stop there on March 9.

This innovative caravan drew crowds eager to witness its eco-friendly design.

The SolarButterfly is a 10m-long caravan that harnesses the power of the sun through its large, wing-like solar panels.

See all the photos: HERE

This unique vehicle is the first of its kind to be constructed using recycled ocean PET, plastic bottles salvaged from the ocean.

The SolarButterfly has recycled over 800kg of PET.

Currently, it’s undertaking a four-year global journey to promote sustainable energy solutions.

The vehicle’s route through South Africa includes stops from Cape Town to Pretoria, a week-long stay in the Kruger National Park focusing on biodiversity, and then on to Durban.

Having started its journey at the United Nations in Geneva in May 2022, the SolarButterfly will travel through six continents and 90 countries, aiming to reach the UN

Climate Change Conference in South America in 2025 – the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The butterfly, a symbol of transformation, inspired the project.

“Just like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, we humans can transform our reliance on fossil fuels,” explained one of the crew members.

The SolarButterfly’s visit to Ermelo provided a powerful demonstration of the potential for sustainable travel and living, inspiring visitors to consider the possibilities of clean energy.