The First Solar Energy Enabled Plane Is About To Take On The Skies

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Mar 19, 2015

The new wave of technology affects every industry, and the aviation sector has not remained untouched. In fact, the sector has experienced positive vibes because of it. Solar panels were being widely tested to provide electricity to houses and drones, but now airplanes are being tested with solar panels.

Solar-powered plane

All credit goes to the Swiss company that decided to think out of the box and applied solar panels on planes. The project had been under consideration since the last 12 years, and just a few days ago the company was able to come up with the first plane that would be using solar panels. This plane is a much larger version of a single-seat prototype made operational two years ago. This new and improved version of the prototype has been named “Solar Impulse 2,” a take on the fact that this is a high tech and fast plane, powered by solar energy. The wingspan of the aircraft is around 235 feet –Â safely bigger than the Boeing (BA, Financial) 747. For capturing the sunlight and turning it into electrical energy, ultraviolet cells are installed all over the wings. Approximately 17,248 cells are being used for the entire business. The weight of the solar powered plane is not more than that of a minivan or a truck. It weighs around 23,000 kg. The lightweight of the plane is achieved by using extremely light materials to craft the body. The plane's body is made of carbon fiber, which keeps the plane light and helps to give it speed as well. The plane speed can easily be brought up to 25 knots or roughly 28 miles per hour during the daylight; but the plane will have to fly at a height of more than 28,000 feet so that it can easily get the required level of sunlight directly from above. Such an altitude will also prevent any hindrance from cloudy weather. When flying above the ocean, the plane has the capacity to fly only 5,000 feet above sea level, especially during the nights.

Recently, the plane took a test flight from Oman, with two trained pilots flying it. The control center of the plane was placed in Abu Dhabi in Masdar. This test flight was sponsored by many renowned companies, including Omega and Google (GOOG, Financial).

Competitors of solar impulse 2

Though the plane is thought to be one of its kind, it is being compared to the Boeing 747. Where the weight of solar impulse is a mere 23,000 kg, the weight of an empty Boeing is about 18,000 kg. Looking at the fuel situation – the high prices and the fact that these fuels are non-renewable, it is imaginable that this feat may be considered spectacular. Airlines such as American Airlines (AAL, Financial), Delta (DAL, Financial) and United Airlines are all known for greater fuel consumption than most others. The Airbus (EADSY, Financial) A380 accommodates 500 passengers and gives a mileage of around 65 miles per gallon and other popular airplane models offer similar mileage. Boeing 747 makers are slightly more fuel efficient in this regard. The space of 200 passengers and the narrow body structure makes it use less fuel per mile.

Concluding thoughts

Solar Impulse 2's successful first test flight is poised to bring about a revolution in the aircraft industry. With jet fuel prices reaching sky high, and a scurry to decrease reliance over fossil fuels, it is true that Solar Impulse 2 does offer a great opportunity for further research and experimentation on full-fledged commercial carriers that could harness the power of the sun. At this moment, though, all that can be said is that this is surely a paradigm shift possible down the road for both airplanes designers and manufacturers.