Solar Plane Takes First Flight
Solar energy is usually discussed in terms of providing electricity to homes, but there are other applications. The fact a solar plane took its first flight recently proves as much.
I’ll admit it. I thought we’d be driving in floating cars by now. I was a fan of the Jetsons cartoon! Alas, we are not even remotely close the floating car these days, probably primarily do to the lack of a need because of cheap oil. Well, the days of cheap oil are drawing to a close. Contrary to many conspiracy theorist, we are not running out of oil. It is just going to become much more expensive to find it as the huge discover deep under sea off Brazil shows.
The idea of a solar plane has always been hampered by two problems. The first was finding batteries that could store enough of a charge to keep the plane flying, but were sufficiently light to keep the plane from falling out of the sky. The second problem, of course, was where to put the panels and how to get enough on the plane to convert enough energy to make flight possible. These two problems are well on their way to being cured. One need only look at the Solar Impulse plane to realize as much.
The Solar Impulse is a plane that has been engineered with the idea of doing an around the world flight in 2011. The plane just took its first maiden voyage. It wasn’t much of a voyage as it only got a few feet off the ground and flew a few thousand yards. That, however, was the goal of the flight. It proved the plane could takeoff by itself and actually fly.
The Solar Impulse has 400 kilograms of batteries storing energy from the solar energy generation system. That system is comprised of thin film solar panels that make up the top surface of the 60 meter long wingspan. The system powers four electric propellers to get the plane moving.
So, does this mean you and I will be flying around in solar cars in the near future? It is possible, but not in this particular format. Solar panels are just to inefficient. An area that could raise some positive prospects would be solar dots. These are solar panels on a nano level that could actually be painted on a plane. This would effectively turn an entire plane into one giant solar panel and provide a lot of energy. Give it 10 to 20 years and we shall see if it is possible. Now, about that flying car…
