NP Rank:
Solar-Powered Plane Will Perform Test Flight
by Amy Judd | November 18, 2008 at 10:57 am
77 views | 4 Recommendations | 1 comment
The first solar-powered airplane will take its first test flight, it has been confirmed, for next April. Called the 'Solar Impulse', it weighs 1500 kilograms and has a 61 metre wingspan. It will attempt to travel the world in May 2011, and then hopefully go into commercial production.
Solar Impulse’s solar cells are placed on the upper surface of its wings, while the underside is wrapped in film.
The plane’s solar system works by using 12,000 photovoltaic cells, each containing 130 micron monocrystalline silicon. Solar Impulse can fly in the dark by using a 400 kilogram deep cycle battery bank.














Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 11:26 on November 20th, 2008
I love this plane. Can be the solution for the near future, with renewable energy.
Great, did you know that they are going to fly in the night, in darkness.
See: http://www.stichtingmilieunet.nl/andersbekekenblog/?p=412