eli5 – Why can’t planes take off/land using fuel but fly using solar power when in flight (daytime)

Question

Surely it would save some carbon emissions if the plane was clad in solar panels and could use solar energy once airborne/above the clouds?

In: 0

Answer 1

Solar panels don’t generate near enough energy. jet fuel is basically millions of years of concentrated sunlight. there have been solar powered planes but they hold 1-2 people and are basically made of balsa wood and plastic.