« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2010, 11:28:03 PM »
I don't think so - 30Hp = about 22Kw of electrical power - solar cells for 22Kw would cover a large portion of the roof of a building. The surface area of that little plane just won't cut it. It's been a little while since I needed to buy panels, but the commercial panels were running about 15w / square foot (although the super expensive panels would do about twice that).
Yes I know. Our Ham radio repeater up at 8400ft here in Idaho have very large solar cells, which cover with snow then the wind turbine kicks in and all this only powers a 100 watt repeater with a couple smaller link radios and an aprs digipeater, But intent was as fast as things are improving & new discoveries theirs no telling what we'll have in a few years. Our solar cells today are far more efficient then the ones in the 70's, thinner, lighter, etc. Would be cool if it could recharge or just maintain current for a longer flight.

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WildWzl
Ft Bragg Jump School-USAF Kunsan AB, Korea- Clark AB P.I.- Korat, Thailand-Tinker AFB Ok.- Mtn Home AFB Idaho
F-86's, F-4D, F-4G, F-5E Tiger II, C-130, UH-1N (Twin Engine Hueys) O-2's. E3A awacs, F-111, FB-111, EF-111,