Solar Powered Plane Flight

The Zephyr Solar Powered Plane

2010 has been a great year for solar power! Among technological advancements, lower prices for solar panels and continued governmental incentives, this week news broke regarding an official record for a solar powered plane flight. Sure, there have been other solar powered plane flights this year (the Solar Impulse among the most notable).

The Zephyr is an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), fitted with solar panels, that took off this summer for a non-stop, 2 week flight over the United States. Taking off on July 9, 2010 from Yuma, Arizona, the plane flew nearly 14 days without stopping to refuel, landing on July 23. The plane was built in the U.K. and the record-breaking flight was confirmed by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).

Wondering what potential uses there are for a solar powered plane? While these type of aircraft may not be in the near future for passenger flights, the Zephyr could be helpful in the near future for military, as well as search and rescue operations. Because it can fly both day and night without having to refuel (and without the added weight of carrying fuel), it can help advance long term strategy more efficiently.

Silicon PV panels on the plane’s wings are thin and lightweight. Solar energy absorbed from sunlight during the day recharge lithium-sulfur batteries for operations overnight. Its no wonder that the Zephyr solar powered plane has bee nicknamed the “Eternal” plane, since it can stay aloft when other types of aircrafts must return to refuel.

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