Solar Impulse, the group whose goal is to fly an airplane around the world propelled solely by solar energy, has proven that night flight using solar energy stored in batteries in possible.

On July 7, 2010, just before 7 in the morning, the prototype Solar Impulse HB-SIA took off from Payerne military airfield for a memorable flight.

André Borschberg piloted the solar-powered aircraft with a wingspan of 64 meters on a non-stop flight lasting more than 26 hours. In the night of July 7-8, the Solar Impulse flew using solar energy stored in the batteries in the course of the day.

It was intended to be the longest and highest flight in the history of solar-powered aviation: the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) immediately awarded the Solar Impulse three new world records in the Solar Powered Airplane class. Based on the technical organization and adjudication by the Swiss Aero Club, the FAI ratified the following flight records, owned by André Borschberg:

- Absolute height: 9235 m

- Height gain: 8744 m

- Duration: 26 hours, 10 minutes, 19 seconds

Visit a 3-D animation that explores the Solar Impulse plane inside and out at http://www.solarimpulse.com/index.php.

Learn how an all-electric vehicle works.

Ford Motor Company has announced first markets that will sell the Focus Electric, Ford’s first all-electric, zero CO2-emissions passenger car.

The first markets selected for Ford Focus Electric: Atlanta, Austin and Houston, Texas; Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Orlando, Fla., Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va., Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

The Focus Electric initial markets were chosen based on several different criteria including existing hybrid purchase trends, utility company collaboration and local government commitment to electrification. As part of the collaboration with dealers, utilities and local governments, Ford will help develop consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support customers’ needs.

Last month, Ford launched a new educational Web site on electric vehicles (http://www.fordvehicles.com/technology/electric/). The site offers video, text and diagrams to help consumers understand differences in the technologies of electrified vehicles.

Focus Electric, available in late 2011, will be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. Production will occur on the same line as the gasoline version of the Focus. Using an existing vehicle platform and assembly line will give Ford the ability to vary production based on demand for the Focus Electric.

Instead of a traditional gas engine, the Focus Electric’s motor will be powered by a 23 kwh lithium-ion battery. The system utilizes liquid heating and cooling system to maximize battery life and driving range.

Collaboration between Ford and local authorities

Ford has been working with local government agencies and utilities in several of the selected markets to help prepare for the adoption of electric vehicles. Efforts focus on development of consumer outreach and education programs on electric vehicles as well as shared information on charging needs and requirements to allow for ease of consumer charging and to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary additional demand.

As part of its electrification outreach, Ford has been conducting the “Charging Into the Future: The Ford Electric Vehicle Tour.” The 14-city tour promotes Ford’s electric vehicle strategy and educates consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

Ford also will launch five new electrified vehicles in Europe and North America. In addition to Focus Electric, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, two next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids and a plug-in hybrid. The range of electrified vehicles allows Ford to address a variety of consumer driving needs.

NASCAR driver Leilani Münter shares simple ways to save money while you’re on the go. Just like you, Leilani wants to save money—and she’s got a few tricks up her racing sleeves to share.

Videos of tips from Münter kick off a new website, LivingEfficiently.org, from the Alliance to Save Energy.

For its efforts, Document Solutions, Inc. (DSi), an e-discovery and digital forensics company, won the “Lean, Mean & Green” Award from the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Presented to a Future 50 winner, this new “Distinct Honor Award” celebrates precedent-setting, sustainable business practices that significantly impacted institutional procedures, products or services. The “Lean, Mean & Green” Award was one of six Distinct Honor Awards given, recognizing that businesses need more than just revenue growth to be leaders in the marketplace.

The Future 50 award is an annual recognition program of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 50 fastest growing, privately owned companies in the Nashville area. DSi was named a Future 50 winner for the second year in a row.

“When we determined to change our mode of transportation for deliveries, we did research into various options and found a company that makes these electric cars,” said Co-founder Tom Turner. “We had it tailored to our needs and confirmed required specifications with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. What used to require a gas-chugging vehicle – not to mention hard-to-find parking – now can be done with a regular 110v outlet.”

Originally started as a photocopying firm, DSi has been consistently making the effort to “go green” over the last 10 years, including a dramatic decrease in paper used. Today, less than a fifth of their work involves actual paper, with the rest of the documents handled and delivered digitally. In addition to their other green initiatives, DSi saves all paper waste and has it shredded and used for recycling.

“Our goal is to be a prime example of a company that is pushing to be more environmentally friendly while still providing excellent service to our clients,” said co-founder KevinTyner.