Solar, so good for the world
The arrival of the Solar Impulse in Abu Dhabi is not merely the conclusion of an amazing feat of engineering and a milestone in aviation history. It is also a glimpse into the clean-energy future that the UAE’s leadership has envisioned.
The flight – which saw the aircraft circumnavigate the globe over 510 hours of flight and 40,000 kilometres – has shown what is possible in terms of aviation. But the same energy which powered the Solar Impulse around the globe can be put to a variety of other purposes. It is now all of our responsibilities to ensure that happens.
“I hope people will understand that it is not just a first in the history of aviation, but also a first in the history of energy,” Piccard told the Guardian. “All the clean technologies we use, they can be used everywhere. So we have flown 40,000km, but now it is up to other people to take it further. It is up to every person in a house to take it further, every head of state, every mayor in a city, every entrepreneur or CEO of a company.”
The UAE – which, as a major oil producer, may seem an unlikely choice – is now is now well placed to take a leadership role in this regard. Already, the UAE has started producing clean energy through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is expected to to eventually produce 5,000 megawatts by 2030, which will be enough to sustain thousands of families. Aside from the Solar Park and high-profile projects such as Masdar City, the UAE has taken steps to bring clean energy to the masses, such as through solar panel installations on buildings and through solarpowered parking meters. The real importance of the Solar Impulse is in highlighting these technologies to the world. But work remains to be done. “Even with this progress, more must be done if we are to meet global targets on climate and sustainable development,” said Adnan Z. Ami, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency. “I am confident that with more of such pioneering endeavours, like the one completed today, we will rise to meet and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.”