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

On top of all the other answers, an additional factor is that you’d either need to have twice as many engines (electric AND combustion) or you’d need some type of engines that can be driven either electrically OR by combustion. Either of which will increase mass, and the frequency and complexity of maintenance.