July 17, 2008 — If you’re going to build a solar and hydrogen powered airplane and be the first to fly around the world using only renewable energies as fuel, it helps to have friends. Or in this case a manufacturer of photovoltaic cells. Trina Solar Ltd. announced this week a cooperative agreement with LISA Airplanes to build the Hy-Bird, Under this agreement, Trina Solar will supply LISA Airplanes with almost 300 photovoltaic cells for the wings and horizontal tail of the plane. That’s enough to supply sufficient energy to complete the fuel cell power for takeoff and for on-board power supply. In addition, a fuel cell will fuel the aircraft for cruise flight, while an electric engine will propel it.

Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar’s vice president of sales and marketing, said the Hy-Bird represents a unique and innovative photovoltaic application that underscores the reliability of Trina Solar products. "We are very proud to be part of this sustainable energy airplane project as we continue to promote the benefits and use of solar energy worldwide," he said.

The Hy-Bird was developed because of an increasing concern for the environment and an urgency to develop an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum to fuel the different means of transportation, its website stated.

LISA Airplanes has already produced a scale model and expects to complete assembly of the real plane by the end of 2009. LISA Airplanes expects to make a series of full-scale test runs and introduce the Hy-Bird project, its technologies, its values and its partners in several countries where interest in renewable energies is growing.

The Hy-Bird is expected to take off for its around-the-world flight, from West to East, through various stages, and unite as many people and cultures as possible. For each stage of 3,000 km or about 1,900 miles, Hy-Bird will be piloted by an inhabitant of the landing country.

Source: EAA Young Eagles
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