Could solar electric trainers increase student numbers?

[deckofficer]

As a former hang glider pilot I've enjoyed the purity of un-powered flight. Because of this I have hoped over the years for powered flight from something other than noisy and vibrating internal combustion engines (ICE).

Since flight for me is strictly for enjoyment, speed that requires lots of power isn't necessary. I believe that advances in battery technology, thin film solar efficiency, and composites in airframe design are all coming together to allow solar electric airplanes.

Here are a couple of examples...

http://www.aircraft-certification.de/index.php/elektra-one-solar.html

http://www.aeac.aero/

Anyone else thinking along these lines?

A 2 seat trainer that runs $5 per hour vs $75 just might jump start a resurgence in flight schools. Plus like I said, quiet and no vibration is to me very appealing. I don't know how much longer the refineries will still produce 100LL, in Europe it is hard to find and $25 gallon when found.

[Bill Berson]

The Solar One in the link lists power output at 1kw. That's a bit more than 1 horsepower.
You can't do touch and goes with One horsepower. Solar panels are hardly worth the trouble.
Think about it.

[deckofficer]

The Solar One in the link lists power output at 1kw. That's a bit more than 1 horsepower.
You can't do touch and goes with One horsepower. Solar panels are hardly worth the trouble.
Think about it.

That is 1 kw solar into the batteries extending their range. Takeoff power is 16 kw, cruise 2.5 kw, descent a bit of regen. With the size of the batteries it has a 600 mile range with good sun.

Randall Fishman is importing the Song to the States and setting it up for electric only, no solar. At the leisurely speed of 40 mph, good for 2 hours on just 6.6 kwhr of batteries.
http://www.electraflyer.com/electraflyer-uls.php

[deckofficer]

This presentation at the Davinci Institute addresses perpetual flight for UAV and to GA interests, solar electric flight. Please trust me, I wouldn't post a video of this length if I didn't think it had very high merit for the GA community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgpPtz5ewVo#t=2455