Solar Plane to Fly Around the World Without Using a Single Drop of Fossil Fuel

Solar Plane to Fly Around the World Without Using a Single Drop of Fossil Fuel

Published: February 7, 2015 | By: American Luxury Staff

The Solar Impulse 2 plans on taking off in Abu Dhabi in March. It will make stops in places like New York City and Southern Europe before returning to Abu Dhabi to complete the first trip around the world in an aircraft powered entirely by solar energy.

This is no little jet either. The Solar Impulse 2 is wider than a Boeing 747, yet weighs in at around 5,000 pounds, so it weighs less than an SUV.

The plane is powered by 17,000 solar panels that line the wings of the craft and provide enough power for nonstop flying, though the crew plans on stopping to restock on supplies and dispose of waste materials every few days. The solar panels provide enough power to the lithium batteries that give the plane a cruising speed of 88 MPH.

The plane has already broken five world records in regards to solar flight.

The plane is scheduled to complete its trip around the globe in early August.

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