Can a solar-powered airplane be the future of aviation? - by David Grossman

This airplane uses no fossil or bio-fuels. It is a solar-powered airplane, collecting the sun's rays on 12,000 solar cells spread across its wings to charge the special lithium-polymer batteries that will continue to power the airplane from sunset till the next sunrise.

Earlier this month the Solar Impulse airplane made its maiden flight (as documented in this YouTube video), rising several feet off the ground and staying aloft for a distance of a little over 1,000 feet, somewhat akin to the first flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, N.C., a little more than a century ago.

For the complete report: Can a solar-powered airplane be the future of aviation? - USATODAY.com