Did you know that solar panels can fly at speeds of 70 km per hour and reach heights of 8,500 m? Well they can when used in transportation. Right now solar-powered vehicles are being put through their paces and the tests are proving to be as interesting as the results.
The record for a non-stop flight using only solar energy was made in July 2010 and lasted 26 hours, which includes night flying. It was also the highest flight by a piloted solar-powered aircraft, achieving a maximum altitude of 8,500 m. Flown by Andre Borshberg, the Solar Impulse is a one-man aircraft with a wing span of 63.40 m to help accommodate the 10,748 solar panels required to power it. The other 880 were attached to the horizontal stabiliser. Surprisingly, the plane only weighed in at a meagre 1,600 kg.
PlanetSolar is the name of a luxury yacht that is powered entirely by 600 square metres of solar panels connected to one of two electric motors. It was launched on 31 March 2010 and is set to become the first boat to circumnavigate the world using only solar power. It’s due to arrive off the coast of Malaysia any day now, where the crew are expected take a well-deserved break.
Solar powered and electric cars have come quite a way since the idea was first conceived. One problem was finding ways to keep them charged. Solar-powered car-parks are one solution. You can do your shopping or day’s work while your car stays cool in the shade, all charged up and ready to take you home. Residential-sized carports are also being developed to do the same job and you could find yourself charging your Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) using the solar panels installed on your home.
Bicycles equipped with a small electric boost motor can be recharged at solar powered stations. The station’s modules can be connected to the grid via a DC to AC converter so that service can continue during cloudy conditions and throughout the night. It takes about two or three hours to charge a solar bike. For those who like the idea of cycling to work but need a bit of help tackling hills, this could be the answer.
Scientific breakthroughs are occurring all the time in the solar power industry. Windows, walls and designed to collect, store and distribute solar energy are already in operation. In the winter, this energy can be used to heat a space and in the summer the system can reject heat to keep the same space cool. This type of design is called passive solar because it doesn’t use electrical or mechanical devices but rather makes use of the local climate.
But now there’s talk about having roads built from solar panel type material instead of asphalt. The idea is that the work needed would pay for itself and electricity generated could be used for road signs, street lighting and even charging the cars using it. Solar roads could clear themselves of snow and ice without the problems and expense of gritting and snow ploughs. Excess electricity produced could be fed back to the grid, helping the roads to pay for their own construction. It may seem a little ‘other worldly’ but why not?
Speaking of other worlds, what about space sailing? If you thought that everything you see in sci-fi films was just fantasy and special effects you’re wrong. The first solar-propelled space craft left earth in May of 2010 on a six month voyage to Venus. All tests were completed successfully and its mission has been extended to 2012. Furthermore, a second solar sail project is already underway. This time it will be heading for Jupiter.