Solar powered plane offers glimpse of eco-friendly travel

Added 12/07/2010

Solar energy panels

Solar powered technology continues to develop, and solar powered planes have been in development for some time. But in the future, could they lead to a new era in eco-friendly travel?

André Borschberg has successfully manned a 26 hour flight in the Solar Impulse HB-SIA, which uses energy from the sun to power the aircraft. André was delighted that the plane sustained power throughout the night. The plane left Switzerland at 7am and made a successful landing the following day at 9am.

12,000 solar cells across the wingspan of the Solar Impulse kept the plane airborne for over 24 hours and no fuel was used for the duration of the flight. André Borschberg described the experience as the most thrilling flight in his 40 year career as a pilot.

Here’s what Mr Borschberg had to say about his uplifting experience in the Solar Impulse: "I’ve been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career. Just sitting there and watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun and then that suspense, not knowing whether we were going to manage to stay up in the air the whole night. And then finally the joy of seeing the sun rise and feeling the energy beginning to circulate in the solar panels again."

The Solar Impulse was developed to highlight the importance of sustainable energy and the need for more eco-friendly travel solutions.

The desire for more eco-friendly travel is on many people’s radar, and the successful night flight of the Solar Impulse is a step in the right direction for greener means of transportation.

News Archive

News Search