Solar power efficiency has in the past been a major hurtle for the industry. There are so many things we could use solar energy for that for the moment we are just not capable of generating enough power for. However one hurtle has just been flown over.
That’s right flown over, man has gained much from flight. It is something that has always captivated us. To be able to break free of our terrestrial shackles and defy gravity. It’s a wondrous thing and because of it we are able to visit tropical paradises, bring aid to desperate people in need of help, and export and import goods from all over the world.
So what does solar power have to do with this? All right I’ll get to the point. The first ever solar powered night flight was successfully concluded on July 7, 2010 by André Borschberg a Swiss Air Force fighter pilot. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA solar-powered airplane was in the air for 26 hours and was powered only by solar power and battery backup system. The Solar Impulse is equipped with panels containing solar power cells that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. The plane flew to 28,000 ft. above sea level and flew at an average of 23 knots, or about 26 MPH, okay so it’s not blindingly fast but this is the longest and highest flight in solar aviation and has monumental significance for solar and wind power and what we can apply it to.
For one, this means that theoretically the plane could stay aloft indefinitely recharging it’s batteries during the day and using it’s stored power throughout the night. The Associated Press quoted the projects co-founder Dr. Bertrand Piccard as saying.“We are on the verge of the perpetual flight.”
This to me is awe inspiring, now we still have a long way to go before we’re seeing solar powered 747’s but this is a huge step for mankind.
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solar power will be used more often in the future as the oil supply dwindle and gas prices increases.”,