Tesla owner created a folding solar array capable of charging 20-60mi per day

[bilsbie]

https://twitter.com/niccruzpatane/status/1745598840218992650

[schiffern]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38962778

[999900000999]

How far are we from creating a aircraft, like a glider that can maintain its altitude that can fly indefinitely.

[dweinus → 999900000999]

Roughly -8 years from now: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/inside-first-solar...

[jauntywundrkind → 999900000999]

Minus seven years. Facebook Aquila was launched in 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_Aquila

Oops, beaten by Solar Impulse, as other commenter points out.

Let's up the stakes? How long until a solar aircraft runs on another planet? NASA is talking up Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE). Very low atmospheric density, and 59% the solar energy. https://www.nasa.gov/general/mars-aerial-and-ground-global-i...

[dragosmocrii]

Probably reduces aerodynamics and range more than it's helping

[Frenchgeek → dragosmocrii]

Only if you forget to fold it back before driving.

[Kirby64 → Frenchgeek]

The solar panels merely existing on the top of the roof are probably enough to offset the additional power gained while sitting still. The drag from a little cargo carrier on top of a Tesla is significant.

[jebarker → Kirby64]

I often see people where I live choosing smaller more fuel efficient vehicles and then permanently keeping a storage box on top. I always wonder if the drag offsets the gas savings.

[fy20 → jebarker]

I drove across Europe a few months ago with a bike on my roof, and I was consuming around 10% more fuel. I'd say it's likely your theory is correct.

[photon_collider]

Something like this might be useful for road trips