Solar-powered plane heralds new dawn in aviation

2010-07-22

It has a massive wingspan of 63 metres, is powered by 400kg of special storage batteries charged by 12,000 high tech solar cells and has accommodation for one pilot, only. And some people believe it could play a role in aviation of the future.

It has flown higher than expected and has proven itself capable of flying not only in direct sunlight but also throughout the night, using the electrical energy harvested by the solar cells and stored in the batteries. Some people have theorised that it could continue flying indefinitely, recharging itself as it flies.

After flying throughout all of the day and then all of the following night, Solar Impulse landed the next morning at a Swiss airfield after flying through the Alps.

“This is a highly symbolic moment, flying by night using solely solar power is a stunning manifestation of the potential that clean technologies offer today to reduce the dependency of our society on fossil fuels!" said Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and President of Solar Impulse.

Added Raymond Clerc, Head of Solar Impulse flight mission: “After 17,500 hours flying commercial aircraft, for the first time I am finding myself on the side of the air controllers, in charge of flights…. And I’m just loving it!”