Tesla owner created a folding solar array capable of charging 20-60mi per day

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6 points·bilsbie··10 comments

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38962778

How far are we from creating a aircraft, like a glider that can maintain its altitude that can fly indefinitely.

Roughly -8 years from now: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/inside-first-solar...

Minus seven years. Facebook Aquila was launched in 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_Aquila

Oops, beaten by Solar Impulse, as other commenter points out.

Let's up the stakes? How long until a solar aircraft runs on another planet? NASA is talking up Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE). Very low atmospheric density, and 59% the solar energy. https://www.nasa.gov/general/mars-aerial-and-ground-global-i...

Probably reduces aerodynamics and range more than it's helping

Only if you forget to fold it back before driving.

The solar panels merely existing on the top of the roof are probably enough to offset the additional power gained while sitting still. The drag from a little cargo carrier on top of a Tesla is significant.

I often see people where I live choosing smaller more fuel efficient vehicles and then permanently keeping a storage box on top. I always wonder if the drag offsets the gas savings.

I drove across Europe a few months ago with a bike on my roof, and I was consuming around 10% more fuel. I'd say it's likely your theory is correct.

Something like this might be useful for road trips

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