A concept for a solar powered blimp that actually seems practical, from Toronto’s “Solar Ship” company:
[youtube wf_2E2IPk1M]
It’s a heavier than air inflatable aircraft, using a lifting body/stubby flying wing configuration filled with helium. This not only gives it a lot of lift at low speed, it also presents a fairly large flat upper surface for mounting solar panels.
Interestingly, it’s more than just vaporware… they’ve flown prototypes:
[youtube w4vG4jmqPn4]
[youtube 8S8EpQumH8A]
The basic concept is not new… the Aereon Corporation was formed in 1959 to build hybrid airships that used buoyancy and aerodynamic lift, and the first of the Goodyear Inflatoplanes was built in 1956. On the whole, though, this seems like a promising concept. Night flying might be an interesting experience in a solar powered hybrid blimp, though…