Have you ever driven down the street and seen one of those houses with the huge solar panels on the roof?  While relatively costly to install, the idea that these homes are receiving some of their energy directly from one of the purest sources is inspiring.   But homes are not all that solar power is being developed for as it seems that solar power may be a promising energy source for many more aspects of our lives then one would normally think.  Early this morning, the first fully solar powered airplane, called “Solar Impulse,” took off for an experimental flight.

The plane left ground in Switzerland, and is attempting its first 24-hour test flight today.  The idea is that the plane would be able to run at least 24-hours using only stored energy collected from the sun, proving that alternative energy can be utilized for flight.   While this feat is awe-inspiring, representatives say that the real hurdle will be when the plane makes its test flight crossing the Atlantic sometime in the future.

To some, the idea of a plane using only solar energy to keep itself in the air offers an exciting and clean energy alternative, while for others, a fear-inducing disaster waiting to happen.  Do you think that solar powered planes will become the norm in the future?  Let’s just hope it stays sunny.