Solar Aviation

First sollar collector EVER

Dec 31, 1767

SourceThe very first solar collector, nothing more than a box with glass on it's sides, was developed, marking the start of usage of solar power.

Popularity rose

Dec 31, 1947

Source Solar power popularity rose, and this likely sparked an increase in value of cells.

First solar cell

Dec 31, 1953

Source First silicon solar cell developed, marking first step in solar powered world.

Cost efficency

Jan 1, 1970

Source New cost efficent way of developing solar cells developed, solar cells used to power warning lights on oil rigs (Ironic that the possible power of the future is used for fossil fuel production huh?)

Sunrise, world's first solar flight

Nov 4, 1974

SourceThe plane in the image isn't sunrise, but it is a close relative to it, sunseeker. Sunrise and sunseeker are both planes that use solar power to fly, and they use it to fly pretty effectively. Sunrise is the first solar powered plane to fly, but I could not find an image of it.

Sunseeker crosses United States

Dec 31, 1990

Source(The exact date is uknown, only the year was given) The Sunseeker plane crosses the united states, and manages to cross 400km in one go at one point.

Project Helos launches

Sep 12, 2001

SourceHelos is an unmanned aircraft that NASA developed, in order to conduct a wide varierty of atmosperic missions.

Zephyr drone makes nonstop flight

Jul 9, 2010

SourceThe Zephyr drone was launched, and lasted 336 hours and 22 minutes, and for those without a calculator, that's about 14 days, a REALLY long time for a solar powered airplane.

Solar airplane travels 1541 km

May 22, 2013

SourceThe distance the plane traveled was a record distance, meaning solar aviation is getting better and better

Solar Impulse

Apr 7, 2014

Source The Solar Impulse 2 plane is unveiled, and took it's maiden flight, ready to attempt nonstop flight