‘Hy-Bird’ Airplane Powered by Solar PV and Hydrogen Fuel Cell, To Make Round-the-World Flight
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 07.21.08
The Hy-Bird may be an interesting concept aircraft, but I wonder if placing what looks to be an out-of-scale illustration of the plane over what looks to be Bryce Canyon might be coming in a bit too high.
photo: Trina Solar
I feel a bit weird posting on this topic, considering the product launch/test flight is well over a year away and so much could change between now and the end of 2009, but since Trina Solar has announced that it will be supplying nearly 300 solar PV cells for LISA Airplanes' Hy-Bird aircraft, a progress report is warranted. No, that’s not a typo. It’s called the Hy-Bird.
The LISA Hy-Bird
Pictured above in an artist’s conception, LISA intends the Hy-Bird to be the first airplane to fly around the world using 100% renewably generated electricity as its power. Solar PV cells will be affixed to the wings and tail of the aircraft, which will produce enough power for take-off and for all onboard electronics. Hy-Bird’s electric engine will be powered from a hydrogen fuel cell once aloft.
Not much more is available on the project at the moment: A scale model of the plane has been built, with the final craft to be built and ready to fly by the end of 2009. For the around-the-world flight, the Hy-Bird will be flown in west to east in 1500 km stages. At each stage a different pilot, from the nation in which the plane will land, will control the aircraft.
:: Trina Solar
:: LISA Airplanes
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Solar PV cells for take-off and powered from a hydrogen fuel cell once aloft?
Matthew McDermott, are we sure this is right?
I suspect that Solar PV cells affixed to the wings and tail of the aircraft will produce enough powerfor all on board electronics and flight once aloft. Hy-Bird’s electric engine will be powered from a hydrogen fuel cell for take-off.
Take off requires extra power, flight needs lower but constant power.
Hmmm a little more checking and I find
"it will generate about 10% of its own electricity from solar arrays that cover the wings."
not quite as efficient as it looks.
@ John, I know it sounds a bit far fetched--which is why I said I was hesitant to post on it--but that is what the company is saying. I don't have much more than what I reported. It seems backwards to me, I admit, but this is what LISA is reporting.
I found the older reports claiming 10% power from solar, but I find it strange that none of the more recent promotional literature from LISA mentions that figure. Also, no mention of hydrogen fuel cell until recently, lithium polymer batteries are mentioned. I wonder what other design changes have been made. The spec seems to be changing.
an interesting project. although you wouldn't get me in the thing