# Solar-Powered Planes The Solar Impulse Takes to the Tarmac For First Time By Meghan Young | Published 2009-11-24 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-impulse References: [bbc](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10534960) & [solarimpulse](http://www.solarimpulse.com/) Evoking similar feelings felt when the Wright Brothers flew their first plane, the Solar Impulse tested the runway for the first time. Planning to eventually take a 20 to 25 day trip around the world, full flight tests will begin next year. If you view the video below, you can see the revolutionary Solar Impulse take to the tarmac. Clearly a work in progress, once this plane is certified, I'm sure we'll see drastic changes in the travel industry. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Solar-powered Planes:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more efficient and commercially viable solar-powered planes for sustainable air travel. - **Long-duration Flights:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create technologies for long-duration flights that could revolutionize air travel and open up new possibilities for remote destinations. - **Sustainable Aviation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design and implement sustainable practices and technologies in the aviation industry to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Aerospace:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced solar-powered aircraft technologies to transform the aerospace industry and enable greener air transportation. - **Renewable Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate in solar energy technologies to enhance efficiency and reliability, specifically for powering transportation. - **Travel and Tourism:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace eco-friendly travel initiatives and promote sustainable aviation practices to attract environmentally conscious travelers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Renewable Energy Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-aircraft.md) - [Range-Roving Electric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-aircrafts.md) - [Air Travel-Certified Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klein-vision-aircar.md) - [Solar-Powered Sleek Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-solaris.md) - [Two-Seater Solar-Powered Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aptera.md) - [Regional Electric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wright-spirit.md) - [Futuristic Solar-Powered Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightyear-0.md) - [Decarbonizing Demonstrator Aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/demonstrator-aircraft.md) - [Hybrid-Electric Seaplanes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-flight.md)