Solar power is applicable in a number of ways. One of the major fields, which has thus far not seen major implementations, is solar flight. Solar flight takes you above the clouds, which often hinder the ability of solar panels to absorb energy from the sun, meaning that solar flight has the potential to be even more efficient than other forms of solar power generation.
Thankfully, many people are beginning to pick up the call for solar flight innovations. Erik Lindbergh, the grandson of the famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, is one of these people. He recently awarded the Elektra One, an innovative solar aircraft, with the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft Vision Award. The unveiling of the Elektra One and the giving of the award were part of a daylong conference that centered on solar flight innovations.
The Elektra One is not fully solar powered. We are still quite far away from completely solar flight. However, the electric plane uses solar panels placed throughout the aircraft – on the wings, body, and tail – in order to extend the distance travelled by the plane. The Elektra One also has a special bunker built to house and recharge its batteries while on the ground and overnight.
Thanks to its positive showing at the conference the Elektra One will likely be sold in the next few days as part of a package deal – which will include the solar panel technology that is used on it’s wings, made by SolarWorld.
It is great to see solar flight taking off in such a major way. Hopefully, with what should be quite simple implementation, both commercial and private, planes can at least begin to use the solar flight capabilities to reduce the amount of fuel it takes to travel. Hopefully, there will be a lot more improvements in solar flight in the future.
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Thankfully, many people are beginning to pick up the call for solar flight innovations.
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James