# Zero-Fuel Planes Sights Set on Trip Around the World in HB-SIA Solar-Powered Jet By Andrew Robichaud | Published 2009-07-03 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hb-sia References: [swipelife](http://swipelife.com/2009/07/01/hb-sia-zero-fuel-airplane/) & [independent](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/roundworld-flight-planned-for-solarpowered-plane-1721067.html?action=Popup&ino=3) The man who flew around the world in a hot air balloon has set his sights on a much more daunting task: Flying around the world in a [solar powered plane](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-aircraft-technology) (the HB-SIA to be exact). Bertrand Piccard started the company [Solar Impulse](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e-clipse-2) with his partner Andre Borschberg and it appears as though the HB-SIA dream is about to come true. It is as large as a jumbo jet with the weight of a standard car. It runs on [four 10 horsepower electric engines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-aircrafts) that are powered by the sun. It is expected to fly at an altitude of 8500 km at a speed of 70 km/hr (around the world should take no time at all…yeah, right). Preliminary flight test should begin later this year. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Solar-powered Transportation:** The development of solar-powered planes like the HB-SIA presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the transportation industry. - **Renewable Energy Innovation:** The use of solar energy to power planes opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy sector. - **Efficiency in Air Travel:** The concept of zero-fuel planes highlights disruptive innovation opportunities to increase the efficiency of air travel. ### Where This Applies - **Aviation:** The aviation industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by embracing the development of solar-powered planes. - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can capitalize on disruptive innovation opportunities by furthering research and development in solar-powered transportation. - **Transportation:** The transportation industry can benefit from disruptive innovation opportunities by adopting and promoting sustainable and zero-fuel modes of travel like the HB-SIA solar-powered plane. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Renewable Energy Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-aircraft.md) - [Emissions-Free eVTOL Aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emissionsfree-evtol-aircraft.md) - [Futuristic Solar-Powered Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightyear-0.md) - [Eco-Friendly Stratospheric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sceye-haps.md) - [Hydrogen-Powered Hypersonic Airplanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sky-magnetar.md) - [Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Engines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airbus.md) - [Zero-Emission Flying Saucers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zeva-zero.md) - [Solar-Powered Sleek Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-solaris.md) - [Decarbonizing Demonstrator Aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/demonstrator-aircraft.md)