Solar Impulse 2 grounded due to battery damage

Solar Impulse 2 (Source: Solar Impulse)

Solar Impulse 2, the solar-powered plane has been grounded due to damaged batteries for at least a few weeks after completing its record-breaking five-day journey from Japan to Hawaii.

The Solar Impulse 2’s team says the batteries were over-insulated and became overheated on day one of the Japan-Hawaii leg. The team said on Saturday that it monitored the situation throughout the flight but could not decrease the temperature.

In a press release, the Solar Impulse team noted that “the damage to certain parts of the batteries is irreversible and would need complete replacement.” This also means that Solar Impulse engineers would look at better ways to design the batteries to avoid such heating issues for future long runs.

Solar Impulse 2, doing a round-the-world trip, had to land at Japan’s Nagoya before taking off for Hawaii. The record-breaking Nagoya to Hawaii leg was piloted by Solar Impulse co-founder and CEO André Borschberg.

The plane won’t fly before the beginning of August as the team works to replace and repair damaged parts.

 Solar Impulse 2 is next headed to Phoenix and will be piloted by Bertrand Piccard as part of an around-the-world flight meant to highlight the importance of renewable energy.