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After six long years of planning, talking and hard work, the world finally got its first look at the 100% solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA on June 26th. This remarkable feat of engineering, with the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but only the weight of an average family car, has over 12,000 solar cells powering four electric motors with a maximum power of 10HP. The aircraft prototype is expected to take its first flights before the end of the year.

A consortium of 12 of Europe's largest blue chip firms yesterday formally signed up to the world's most ambitious solar energy project, agreeing to draw up detailed plans that could see energy from giant solar thermal power plants in North Africa meet up to 15 per cent of Europe's energy needs.