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A Solar Race Around the World

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the alvin-and-the-chipmunks-did-this dept.

garzpacho writes "In Switzerland, two teams are vying to be the first to circle the globe in a solar powered vehicle--one team in a boat, the other in an airplane. The boat, a two person trimaran, is the brainchild of PlanetSolar, who hopes to circumnavigate the world In 80 days. Solar Impulse is fielding the single-pilot plane, which will be capable of taking off under its own power and flying all night. Both groups hope to bring greater attention to solar power, which they believe is more appropriate for alternative transportation than for automobiles."

5 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Umm, yeah, I'll be a little late today... by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 4, Funny
    My car is under the weather.

    Literally.

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  2. Stupid strategy by charlesbakerharris · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...the single-pilot plane, which will be capable of taking off under its own power and flying all night.

    Stupid, stupid, stupid. Everyone knows solar power is *WAY* more available during the day!

  3. Lost by smalljs · · Score: 2, Funny

    Isn't that how Desmond got stuck on the Island? Maybe we should be tracking these guys...

  4. I've seen what happens... by poppen_fresh · · Score: 2, Funny

    I've seen what happens when you enter a solar race...
    you get stuck on some island in the middle of the pacific and have to push some stupid button every 108 minutes...

  5. Pretzel Logic, anyone? by Chapter80 · · Score: 3, Funny
    I contend that if you have an interest in promoting alternate fuel sources, you need to avoid the idea of Hybrids.

    The best way for alternative fuel sources to become popular is for them to become economically viable. By buying a hybrid engine (a hybrid car, for example), you are providing downward pressure on fossil fuel demand, and normal supply-and-demand economics tells us that this will provide downward pressure on fuel prices.

    Hybrids are a "half step" toward alternate energy sources. We need full steps. Want to help save the planet? Buy an SUV. Crank up those gas prices. This will help the case for alternate energy sources, by making them more economically attractive.

    Same goes for Hybrid airplanes.

    What do you think, can I win this argument?