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Could solar powered planes be in our future?

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  • Could solar powered planes be in our future?

    The first solar power plane took off this year for a trip around the world.
    I remember thinking years ago when solar energy started becoming a thing, how amazing it would be to have cars and planes running on solar power. Can you see them becoming a mainstream thing?
    [URL="http://greentumble.com/"]Greentumble[/URL]

  • #2
    Originally posted by SolarFox View Post
    The first solar power plane took off this year for a trip around the world.
    I remember thinking years ago when solar energy started becoming a thing, how amazing it would be to have cars and planes running on solar power. Can you see them becoming a mainstream thing?
    Nope. Special purpose only (spy drones, communications relays, etc.)
    The current crop of cells does not produce enough power per unit area and unit weight to make a cargo or passenger carrier feasible. Maybe later.
    And do you always land when the weather turns cloudy and not fly or drive at night?
    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by inetdog View Post
      Nope. Special purpose only (spy drones, communications relays, etc.)
      The current crop of cells does not produce enough power per unit area and unit weight to make a cargo or passenger carrier feasible. Maybe later.
      And do you always land when the weather turns cloudy and not fly or drive at night?
      It is going to be possible sooner then expected. Check out the progress of the Solar Impulse...
      [URL="http://greentumble.com/"]Greentumble[/URL]

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      • #4
        Originally posted by SolarFox View Post
        It is going to be possible sooner then expected. Check out the progress of the Solar Impulse...
        Biggest barrier with a solar plane is the minimal amount of weight allowed on it. Which would be next to nothing.

        The low weight condition won't make sense for anyone wanting to ship or travel by air if the plane can only hold a pilot besides the batteries to keep it up.

        Better to use a lighter than air transport like a Blimp with solar panels used to run electric driven propellers.

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