Originally posted by anon72
Nothing other to note from the source, other than what is here. I think it is amzaing they are continuing to work on this. Well, I hope it doesn't crash on the flight.

No doubt this is a massive investment possibility when its eventually cracked and will work properly..

Fuel prices are still going up and Planes are one of the main sources of Air pollution in the world..

Solar powered or semi solar powered or hydrogen/solar powered planes will definitely be a huge investment in the future.. I can see the EU forcing all EU Airlines to change to this type of technology as soon as its borderline economically viable.

Fuel prices are still going up and Planes are one of the main sources of Air pollution in the world..

No, they are not. 2% of all anthropogenic emissions. It's impossible that solar will power air-travel, a Boeing 747 has an average power level of 140 megawatts, on a 15 hour flight that is 2100 megawatt hours, or the same amount of energy as two large nuclear reactors generate in an hour. To get 140 megawatts out of solar panels (assuming same power to solar panel area ratio as solar impulse project) would require 7500 times the area of a Boeing 747 wing and 3500 tons of batteries or 8 times the weight of the 747 itself. EU is likely to require biofuels to power aircraft, because aviation is an area where there is no substitute for jet fuel.

[edit on 6/4/2010 by C0bzz]

Originally posted by C0bzz

Fuel prices are still going up and Planes are one of the main sources of Air pollution in the world..

No, they are not. 2% of all anthropogenic emissions.

Im sorry Pedantic Pants.. But if one tiny transportation thing like Flight takes up a Whopping 2% of all pollutant emissions made by mankind..

Thats called a MAIN SOURCE of pollutant emissions.. ie. 1/50 of all emissions..

DAAAAAAAAAAAA

EU is likely to require biofuels to power aircraft, because aviation is an area where there is no substitute for jet fuel.

And you can see into the future I see..

Ok, I retract my realistic view of the near to medium future and will replace it with your rigid one that decides nothing will change lol

Anyway, Are you really telling me that over the next 50 years, the EU won't have almost phased out Aircraft using current Jet Fuel in favor for cleaner fuels like hydrogen or semi Solar powered if the technology becomes feasible? Don't be daft..

Originally posted by C0bzz
It's impossible that solar will power air-travel, a Boeing 747 has an average power level of 140 megawatts

With all due respect, you have a wrong model of air transport in mind, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Indeed, to travel like a 747 requires tons of energy. In applications where speed is not important (like delivery of cargo to remote locations) the power requirements can be dramatically lower. Not sure if it scales well, but imagine a helium filled zeppelin with the kind of solar panels and lightweight structures like are being tested. A solar-powered UAV can also be used for surveillance -- without refueling for months at a time.

Im sorry Pedantic Pants..

Your main problem is that you simply do not have a clue what you are talking about.

But if one tiny transportation thing like Flight takes up a Whopping 2% of all pollutant emissions made by mankind..

Are you trying to be sarcastic?

Road transportation accounts for 10% of all emissions, electricity 25%. Of course 2% (or actually 1.6%) is not 'major'.

And you can see into the future I see..

But of course, that doesn't stop you from making your wild and ridiculous predictions about the future. I presume you have a crystal ball? FYI, I imagine what is likely from a technical standpoint and from also looking at where the industry, and the world is heading. There are already Biofuel mandates for some modes of transportation, think-tanks are already encouraging biofuel mandates for aviation, furthermore jet biofuel blends have already been tested in existing commercial aircraft.

Ok, I retract my realistic view of the near to medium future and will replace it with your rigid one that decides nothing will change lol

Apparently you failed 6th grade mathematics and 1st grade English. A Boeing 747 has an average power level of 140 megawatts, on a 15 hour flight that is 2100 megawatt hours, or the same amount of energy as two large nuclear reactors generate in an hour. To get 140 megawatts out of solar panels (assuming same power to solar panel area ratio as solar impulse project) would require 7500 times the area of a Boeing 747 wing and 3500 tons of batteries or 8 times the weight of the 747 itself. Your plan is not realistic, it's ridiculous and anyone with half a brain can clearly see it. I never said nothing would change, I said biofuels are likely. Efficiency improvements are guaranteed.

Anyway, Are you really telling me that over the next 50 years, the EU won't have almost phased out Aircraft using current Jet Fuel in favor for cleaner fuels like hydrogen or semi Solar powered if the technology becomes feasible? Don't be daft..

If the technology becomes feasible? IT'S NOT FEASIBLE. Solar will NEVER be feasible in aircraft and in case you haven't noticed, we are having extreme difficulty producing hydrogen that is decades away from being solved. That, and the fact it needs cryogenics to be stored. Solving these issues is not a "near-future" or "medium-future" plan. DECADES.

[edit on 7/4/2010 by C0bzz]