FIG. 05 · SolarWing · Concept wing surface · Cell layout under study
CONCEPT VISUALIZATION
SolarWing represents the long-term extension of the Kyte research program into highly energy-efficient, solar-assisted aircraft. It is not a product. It is an unanswered question worth chasing.
→ EVERY STAGE LOSES ENERGY. EVERY STAGE IS A RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY.
This is not obvious. Solar panels add mass. Mass adds power draw. There is a real, measurable point where a solar-assisted aircraft outperforms its pure-battery equivalent — and a point where it doesn't. Finding that point, honestly, is the research.
Every point of extra drag steals from useful flight time.
Composites, layup, and structural intelligence.
Efficiency, weight, curvature tolerance, integration.
Extracting the last usable watt from varying sunlight.
Chemistry, safe charge in flight, thermal envelope.
Motor / propeller efficiency across the flight envelope.
Cells, packs, ESCs — heat costs efficiency.
Decisions shaped by sunlight, wind, and mission left.
Mission design when hours become the unit.
SolarWing is what Kyte might grow into once we understand energy well enough. If, by then, the honest data says a solar aircraft is genuinely better — we'll build one.