we keep hearing talk about people doing things to help us be green or eco friendly. but have you guys heard about this project (see topic title for name)?
the basic idea is to make a solar powered plane. the people behind solar impulse have already made a plane that stores solar energy, is able to fly throughout the night without landing for fuel or anything.
i would like to read your thoughts and opinions on this project
here's the site link: http://www.solarimpulse.com/
It's a great idea mounted on a plane. My friend has a house in China powered by solar panels. It's a rather common idea.
And the main thing always boils down to cost. If it's too expensive, no one's going to take it really seriously. I would like to see it implemented, though the budgets of airlines worldwide may disagree.
maybe, but if an airbus was completely powered by the sun, then the gas budget would cease to exist. therefore, this advantage would soon payoff the cost of the plane and might even lower ticket prices
maybe, but if an airbus was completely powered by the sun, then the gas budget would cease to exist.
Not really. You have to bear in mind the costs of building the plane, research, etc. And not everyone takes an airbus. Nor does every company possess and airbus which by itself costs millions. Gas/oil are still cheaper.
I've heard about it. I think even if at this cost no air company will use it, it's 1 a step forward, maybe in 2050 the technology will be better and affordable for a company, 2 a way to make the people think WOOT WOOT SOLAR ROCKS and convince them to use it in simplest places like houses or factories.
on the long run, you would pay less for gas as a fuel for the planes
What about smaller aircraft? An airbus simply cannot fit onto the runway of most African airports. It would be too cost inefficient to mount solar panels on every single plane in the world.
Yeah, heard of that, after all both initiators come from my country^^ It's quite interesting, and I'm sure usage of solar energy can be advantageously largely augmented, and will be augmented over time. But for this specific experiment I think they're making an enormous fuss that is not completely justified, sure it's cool technology and advancement and so, but I quite agree with what gaboloth said:
1 a step forward, maybe in 2050 the technology will be better and affordable for a company, 2 a way to make the people think WOOT WOOT SOLAR ROCKS and convince them to use it in simplest places like houses or factories.
maybe, but imagine if it was possible to make planes of any size and make no longer run on gas. it would be a great technological and environmental advancement.
just food for thought: also, you would be lowering the amount of pollution created by the production of aircraft fuel. right now, in the whole world, we are producing 30 billion barrels of oil in one year. oil refineries release many dangerous chemicals and gasses into the atmosphere. getting rid of one of the oil based products will lower the amount of these pollutants that would be released world wide.
maybe, but imagine if it was possible to make planes of any size and make no longer run on gas. it would be a great technological and environmental advancement.
just food for thought: also, you would be lowering the amount of pollution created by the production of aircraft fuel. right now, in the whole world, we are producing 30 billion barrels of oil in one year. oil refineries release many dangerous chemicals and gasses into the atmosphere. getting rid of one of the oil based products will lower the amount of these pollutants that would be released world wide.
That I have realised a long time ago. So have the entire world. And yet why have we not embarked on using solar panels if they were the long sought elixir to our energy woes? It's a great solution to solve our environmental problem, but not actually practical today.
Energy Comparison
Conventional Fuel Sources 1 ton of coal = 6,182 KWH 1 barrel of oil = 1,699 KWH 1 cubic foot of gas = 0.3 KWH
Energy Costs 1 ton of coal costs $36 = $0.006 per KWH 1 barrel of oil costs $70 = $0.05 per KWH 1 cubic foot of gas $0.008 = $0.03 per KWH
Solar Power Average system costs = $95 per square foot Average solar panel output = 10.6 watts per square foot Average solar energy system costs = $8.95 per watt A twoâ"Kilowatt (KW) solar energy system costs about $45,000. At $45,000, a solar energy system equates to $9,000 a kilowatt.
Plus, solar panels generally last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. They need to be taken care of and replaced consistently, which further adds to the cost.
well, so long as you find a way to keep the factories green, then it should not be a problem. i once saw on daily planet (i think it was that show), a factory filtering the smoke it produced. maybe by using the same idea, we could reduce pollution.
well, so long as you find a way to keep the factories green, then it should not be a problem. i once saw on daily planet (i think it was that show), a factory filtering the smoke it produced. maybe by using the same idea, we could reduce pollution.
You're ignoring the cost factor. Plus, a factory cannot filter it's smoke 100%. I've studied that concept in physics class. Undoubtedly when you make products there will be waste. Some of it, you just can't filter. What do you do after it's filtered? Dump it in a landfill?
i see that there is nothing i can say to prove that the general idea of solar impulse and it's possible future application can be good.
well then, instead of just saying negative points, you could also mention solutions.
Notice how I have not altogether thrown away the idea of solar energy. I support it, but not at current technological standards. It's cost inefficient and impractical now. I never said it could not be the panacea we seek.
As for now, we can only pour more into research. And try to conserve little by little. Have tons of plastic bags? Reuse them. Going out? Make sure all the main switches are off.
