why doesnt airplaines embrace solar power?

Question

you would think that airlines would embrace solar power since they have more sunlight above the clouds and would reduce airplane fuel and travel costs?

anyone answer this for me?

Answer 1

Currently, solar power is very inefficient. Something like 10-30% of the available energy can actually be converted into useful work. And when they are flying, what exactly would they use solar power for? The cabin lights? With the engines already running, generating the power for the lights is a very small burden. The avionics is another story, but those can't rely on whether or not it's a cloudy day.

If it was cost effective, they would do it. Unfortunately, most alternative energies have a long way to go before they are commercially viable. I wish it was different, but for now we are stuck burning fuel for our energy needs.

Answer 2

There are several workable problems to overcome in this case. The surface area of the aircraft could accomodate only a small number of solar panels. It would also be difficult to attach the solar photo voltaics (PV) to the airplane and to have them stay fixed at high speeds. The solar PV's could only generate a very small fraction of the energy required. The few kilowatts of solar power generated would possibly provide enough power to light the inside of the airplane cabin.
However, the airplane is almost always in the sun- both on the ground and in the air -and if it had an outer solar PV layer it could generate a significant amount of DC energy which could be stored in batteries. Aditionally, all airports could feasibly put solar panels on their roofs to generate electricity.

Answer 3

Jonathan R, if it would have have reduced airplane fuel costs, airlines would have implemented it the day it was available. The best solar cells available dont have the power to weight ratio to justify its implementation.

When you asked this question, did you give any thought to the times when solar energy is not available (Night, bad weather, rain). Are you suggesting that the solar energy produced during brief sunshine is enough to provide the energy to haul these deadweights during darkness and yet remain profitable?

Guess not, so no embracing, not even a hug!

Answer 4

There would be little fuel saved as the engines are running anyway and there would be a massive penalty in increased weight of the cells and the batteries as you still need power at night so you couldn't just have the panels only. Also solar panels don't like massive temperature changes like 70 degrees on the ground and in a few seconds minus 30 degrees usually equals cracked panels in a short time.

Answer 5

Solar powered aircraft do exist, but they're not at all practical.

Currently solar power cannot come remotely close to providing the energy needed to carry more than a couple people, no luggage. The have to be very lightweight, and that means they're fragile. They would be torn apart in turbulent air.

They're slow. So if you like flights that take a week to get from LA to NYC, be my guest.

Answer 6

well when you have two thousand horse power turbines on either side of you, you don't need it. plus solar panels equal more weight which is counter productive for a commercial airline.

Now if you meant using solar to actually power then engines then thats not feasible as solar panels just dont produce anywhere near that type of energy.

Answer 7

solar panels required for such a large set of engines
would be larger than two football fields -

too much wingspan

also - too much weight
by not painting an airplane - like American Airlines - and using the polished aluminum - saves 400 pounds on the aircraft
a savings of $80,000 annually in fuel

it's all about money!

Answer 8

Airplanes cannot get enough solar power in order to run the plane.

Answer 9

Solar power has not even proven itslef as an option for powering 100 hp cars... you are talking about thousands of horsepower on airplanes...

Answer 10

just how would solar power save them money??? the bulk of the cost of flying that plane is fuel to run the turbines. and you never get solar planes big enough to run them in the air. as far as electric is concerned. it don't cost them much as it is easily and cheap made by the motors as well. i think your a goofy tree hugger.