By ELIANE ENGELER, Associated Press Writers
PAYERNE, Switzerland – An experimental solar-powered plane completed its first 24-hour test flight successfully Thursday, proving that the aircraft can collect enough energy from the sun during the day to stay aloft all night.The test brings the Swiss-led project one step closer to its goal of circling the globe using only energy from the sun. Pilot Andre Borschberg eased the Solar Impulse out of the clear blue morning sky onto the runway at Payerne airfield about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of the Swiss capital Bern at exactly 9 a.m. (0700 GMT; 3 a.m. EDT).
Helpers rushed to stabilize the pioneering plane as it touched down, ensuring that its massive 207-foot (63-meter) wingspan didn’t scrape the ground and topple the craft.”We achieved more than we wanted. Everybody is extremely happy,” Borschberg told reporters after landing. Previous flights included a brief “flea hop” and a longer airborne test earlier this year, but this week’s attempt was described as a “milestone” by the team and comes after seven years of planning.
The team says it has now demonstrated that the single-seat plane can theoretically stay in the air indefinitely, recharging its depleted batteries using 12,000 solar cells and nothing but the rays of the sun during the day. But while the team says this proves that emissions-free air travel is possible, it doesn’t see solar technology replacing conventional jet propulsion any time soon. Instead, the project’s overarching purpose is to test and promote new energy-efficient technologies. Project co-founder Bertrand Piccard, himself a record-breaking balloonist, said many people had been skeptical that renewable energy could ever be used to take a man into the air and keep him there.
“There is a before and after in terms of what people have to believe and understand about renewable energies,” Piccard said, adding that the flight was proof new technologies can help break society’s dependence on fossil fuels.
The team will now start to build a second solar plane that will be more efficient and have a larger cockpit to allow for longer flights. That plane should be ready for international flights by 2013, said Borschberg.The round-the-world flight will eventually be made with five stops along the way.
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SoloPower
a California-based manufacturer of flexible, thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced the launch of its debut CIGS-based, thin-film, lightweight, flexible SFX1-i Photovoltaic module. The SoloPower SFX1-i module will be on display at InterSolar 2010, July 13th -15th in San Francisco, CA at Shoals Technologies Group booth.
SoloPower produces high-power, lightweight, flexible Photovoltaic modules utilizing a low-cost, roll-to-roll electroplating process.
This low-cost structure combined with the optimized product design creates an unbeatable value proposition.
“SoloPower’s lightweight, flexible, CIGS modules represent a true breakthrough in the solar industry,” said Tim Harris, CEO, SoloPower.
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Solar Summerfest
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Sacramento are all green cities; Cities that are on the forefront of renewable energy and sustainability. So it comes as not much of a surprise that The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) is hosting the First Annual Solar Summerfest Party Benefiting California’s Solar Industry at CityView, Metreon Rooftop 101 4th Street, San Francisco. Tuesday July 13, 2010, 6:30–10:30 pm. The Reception kicks off InterSolar North America.
This event will attract Intersolar North America’s exhibitors and CALSEIA’s member and potential members from the solar community including Manufacturers, Contractors, Distributors, Engineers, Designers, Consultants, Utilities, Educational organizations, and Local Governments.
Intersolar North America takes place annually in San Francisco’s Moscone Center West Hall. Since its establishment in 2008, the exhibition and conference have developed into the premier platform for the solar industry in North America. Intersolar North America focuses on photovoltaics and solar thermal technology and has very quickly established
itself among manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and service providers as an international industry meeting point.
The California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) is a non-profit organization with the mission to expand the use of all solar technologies in California and establish a sustainable industry for a clean energy future. When the lights go down in the city, the solar professionals come out to celebrate!
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Professor Green
Newcomer rapper Professor Green has just confirmed via Twitter that he just laid down a verse for the new Saturdays single ‘Missing You‘. The song has already premiered along with the video minus the rap. So the question is if this is just for a remix or for the album version. Who knows?
The version featuring Professor Green has yet to premiere and is supposedly coming very soon. Here is the message that Professor Green posted on his Twitter:
Did my verse for the saturdays… Look out for an alternative version of ‘Missing You’ ft. Professor Green soooooooon!
To watch your mobile click below.
Saturdays single ‘Missing You
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In Deepwater: A report back from the Gulf with Riki Ott and Diane Wilson
EVENT in BERKELEY
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GAP ADVENTURES VISIONARY
Bruce Poon Tip
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