A prototype of the group plane Solar Impulsethat works entirely with solar energy, like the one in the picture will be shown June 26 at an airport near Zurich in Switzerland.

One of the most notorious of this model consists of the giant wings -62 meters between wing and wing-almost as long as a commercial aircraft. This design is in large part to the 11,628 solar cells that are located above the wings.

Solar energy will be stored at 4 batteries of 100 kg of lithium, each supplying power to the turbines that will be 4 this model.

The total weight of this model will be about 1600 kgs, about the weight of the Aveo.

So far the model has been flown using a simulator. For the first test flight, the batteries of each turbine will be charged one days before the flight, leaving the outdoor air to make solar energy work. The interesting thing is that, according to Mr. Borschbert, project manager, it does not require any external source of energy.

It is expected that commercial models will be available from 2010 onwards. This aircraft can reach a maximum height of 8500 meters, the highest model of a passenger without a pressurized cabin. During the day, energy is stored in batteries to be used at night.

Another important detail is that this model would be capable of flying more than 36 hours without stopping for fuel, closer to the dream of many aeronautics perpetual flight.

This project is funded by several companies, including Solvay, Omega, and Deutsche Bank.

The main utility of this model would be of civil nature, such as monitoring drug transit or major sections of agricultural spraying. Models for transportation of civilian or cargo are not yet covered. But this initiative to succeed, not far the day when fossil fuel will no longer be required for air transport, which will reduce greatly the cost of flight.