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<\/p>\nWhat is solar-electric aviation?<\/p>\n
Imagine an aircraft\u2026 that flies without fuel. No kerosene, almost no noise, and energy that comes directly from the sun. This is exactly the principle behind solar-electric aviation. And no, it’s not science fiction \u2014 it’s what SolarStratos has been doing from Payerne, Switzerland, for several years already.<\/p>\n
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The way it works is actually quite intuitive:
\n1. Photovoltaic cells are integrated into the aircraft’s wings
\n2. They capture solar energy and convert it into electricity
\n3. This electricity powers an electric motor that drives the propeller
\nAnd the surplus energy produced? It’s stored in onboard batteries, to be used when sunlight is no longer enough.<\/p>\n
Think of an electric bike: the solar panel is the dynamo. The battery is the small energy reserve. And the motor is what moves you forward. Except that here, we’re at an altitude of 10,000 metres.<\/p>\n
This is where it gets really interesting. SolarStratos is no ordinary aircraft. It’s a two-seater solar and electric, designed to reach the stratosphere \u2014 that layer of the atmosphere located far above the cruising altitude of an airliner. A breathtaking ambition, made possible by highly precise energy management.<\/p>\n
Two-stage energy management<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. During the day: produce and fly<\/strong><\/p>\n As soon as the sun shines, the solar cells integrated into the wings spring into action:<\/p>\n We fly and refuel at the same time. Like an electric car that recovers energy when braking, but in a solar version, and continuously.<\/p>\n 2. At high altitude or without sun: the batteries take over<\/strong><\/p>\n As the aircraft climbs, atmospheric pressure drops and conditions become harsher. When solar production is no longer sufficient, the lithium-ion batteries take over.<\/p>\n These are no ordinary batteries. They are:<\/p>\n The key balance: the real challenge of SolarStratos<\/strong><\/p>\n Flying on solar power is simple on paper. In practice, it’s an exercise in constant balance between four constraints:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every flight is a real-time optimisation. The pilot, Rapha\u00ebl Domjan, constantly manages these parameters to ensure the aircraft reaches its destination with enough energy\u2026 and without ever exceeding the limit.<\/p>\n It’s a bit like crossing a city in an electric car with an uncertain state of charge, at -50\u00b0C, going uphill, and with no permission to stop along the way.<\/p>\n SolarStratos isn’t just trying to fly. It’s trying to climb where no one has ever gone in a manned solar-electric aircraft.<\/p>\n In the stratosphere:<\/p>\n It’s a hostile environment for humans\u2026 but ideal for demonstrating the power of solar energy.<\/p>\n Reaching the stratosphere with a manned solar-electric aircraft means proving that this technology can operate under extreme, measurable, and reproducible conditions, far beyond low-altitude demonstrations.<\/p>\n A flying laboratory<\/strong><\/p>\n SolarStratos isn’t here to replace an Airbus overnight. Its role lies elsewhere: to test, validate, and demonstrate.<\/p>\n Every flight generates valuable data on:<\/p>\n This data fuels research, inspires engineers, and paves the way for future applications in sustainable aviation.<\/p>\n In summary, the key takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n Energy source: sun + lithium-ion batteries SolarStratos doesn’t just fly to get from point A to point B. It flies to prove that yesterday’s impossible can become tomorrow’s standard.<\/p>\n Rediscover our spotlight on SolarStratos’s energy management!<\/p>\n\n
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\n Constraint<\/span><\/td>\n Challenge<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \ud83c\udf1e Solar production<\/td>\n Depends on weather, time of day, and angle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u26a1 Motor consumption<\/td>\n Varies with speed, altitude, and manoeuvre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \ud83d\udd0b Battery capacity<\/td>\n Limited by onboard weight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \ud83c\udf21\ufe0f Atmospheric conditions<\/td>\n Cold, pressure, turbulence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Why aim for the stratosphere?<\/h3>\n
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\nHow it works: produce during the day, use continuously
\nRole of the batteries: stabilise the flight when sunlight isn’t enough
\nThe real challenge: constant energy balance
\nGoal: reach the stratosphere with zero emissions
\nImpact: a flying laboratory for the aviation of tomorrow<\/p>\nSpotlight<\/h3>\n