Solar power is often only thought of as a means to generate electricity.
Acres and acres of solar modules in a field have a capacity to power entire schools or corporations. While generating electricity from solar is both great for the environment and great for the economy, this just begins to scratch the surface of the potential that solar has. Many believe that it has the ability to revolutionize the transportation sector and change the way we look at vehicles of all types moving forward.
While many associated electrified transportation with cars and buses that run on batteries, other more ambitious engineering teams have been looking to the skies for an even bigger challenge. Recently, an airplane called Solar Impulse recently utilized nothing more than solar modules to circumnavigate the world.
What Is So Special About This Project?
All planes in the world use some type of fuel. For most planes, this means highly expensive jet fuel that needs to be refilled every single time it lands. This aircraft on the other hand is able to fly and operate using nothing more than the fuel provided to use every day by the sun.
Additionally, this airplane showed that, although it will require a great deal more refinement and logistical measures to be taken, solar energy has been shown to be a viable option to solve our many environmental issues related to the transportation sector. Finally, this engineering marvel broke a variety of aviation records which had previously stood for decades. Combining all of these aspects show just how special this solar airplane truly was.
How Does This Engineering Marvel Work?
When sunlight hits a solar panel, a current is generated. This current is direct current which can be used to charge a battery much like how a phone or a laptop is charged. Most household solar systems use something called an inverter to switch this direct current over to alternating current which is the type of electricity that comes out of a normal outlet in your home.
This true marvel of engineering works by taking the direct current generated from the solar modules on the wings of the aircraft and feeding a battery bank within it. This electricity is then called upon out of these batteries to run the airplane and propel it forward. There was also a great deal of time spent making sure that this airplane was constructed in the most aerodynamic way possible. The more aerodynamic the airplane was, the less electricity that would have to be drawn from the battery bank. This ensured that the batteries never ran out mid flight.
Who Created This Project?
This airplane was the brainchild of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. The idea originated in Switzerland as a way to not only push the limits of solar but also as a means to promote its uses and show the world how beneficial it can be. These two individuals weren’t seeking to be enshrined in the record books, this was simply a byproduct of their actions. Instead, they were hoping to leave their mark on the world by making it a better place through the promotion of more sustainable technologies and renewables. Their feats were highly publicized only further cementing the role that each of these visionaries played in this historic event.
The Solar Powered Marvel By The Numbers
One of the most impressive statistics from the around the world journey is the 43,000 kilometers that the plane was able to fly. In total, the airplane was able to remain in the air for well over 23 days of airtime. Throughout its entire journey, the integrated solar array was able to produce an astounding 11,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable fuel all of which were consumed on the way to breaking world record after world record.
During the circumnavigation of the globe, Solar Impulse crossed over four different continents, three different seas and two oceans. In total, plans related to an airplanes that could complete this sort of feat have been put together over a 13 year period. Much of this time included fundraising to help support the project. In total, the idea for this project was seen by millions of individuals which helped the Solar Impulse team raise more than $170 million for testing, outreach, and final construction of the finished project.
What Was The Flight Plan For The Plane?
This flight was divided up into 17 different legs throughout its trip that circumnavigated the globe. The trip began with its first leg going from Abu Dhabi to Muscat. Other major legs of the trip that should be noted are leg eight, which stretched from Nagoya to Hawaii, leg twelve which stretched from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Dayton, Ohio as well as leg fifteen which went from New York City to Seville.
The leg from Nagoya to Hawaii lasted an incredible 5 days and five nights with absolutely no stops which was a world record in and of itself. The final leg stretched from Cairo, Egypt back to its starting location of Abu Dhabi. In total, the journey occurred between March 9th, 2015 and July 26th, 2016. The More than 16 month journey will remain in the history books for decades to come.
What World Records Did This Solar Plane Break?
Between the prototype and the final model, Solar Impulse broke 19 different world records. The most notable of these are the longest solo journey in aviation history as well as the first airplane to ever circumnavigate the entire globe without the use of any fuel whatsoever. One of its flights broke two records for both the longest solo air travel in terms of distance as well as in terms of hours of continuous airtime. This journey to the record books began back in early 2015 and culminated in 2016 after they had successfully circled the globe using nothing more than solar cells.
Why Is Renewable Energy So Perfect For The Transportation Sector?
The majority of the transportation sector is powered by fossil fuels. While these fuels have more than served their purpose to help advance society, they simply are not a viable source of fuel moving into the distant future. Eventually, due to the fact that fossil fuels are a finite resource, the oil reserves will be fully depleted. This is why renewable energy is so perfect for the transportation sector. The fuel is not only entirely free but its also unlimited. For as long as humans continue to roam the earth, the sun will continue to shine which means solar modules can continue to harvest this free fuel from nature.
Additionally, renewables are becoming an increasingly popular way to run vehicles of all types because of the ever lowering cost of battery storage. This cheaper battery storage allows renewable energy to be stored during peak hours of power production, and then expelled for use at a later time when that resource may not be as abundant. Undoubtedly, the combination of solar energy and battery storage will make project like this solar airplane much more viable and much more common.
This project did far more than just push the absolute limits of our current renewable technologies. It also served as a means to share incredible scientific advances with the world and get a new generation of free thinkers excited about science. The solar industry is here to stay and is seeking to attract the best talent as various industries continue to find new and groundbreaking ways to utilize the technology.