Solar phased arrays-based wireless power transfer for commercial airlines can reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in the United States

2026-05-24

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of decarbonizing aviation, which is constrained by reliance on high-energy-density fuels and the range and payload penalties associated with battery electrification. The authors propose an innovative approach wherein large-scale ground-based solar farms power microwave phased arrays that wirelessly transmit energy to hybrid-electric aircraft during cruise. This work pioneers the integration of solar-powered wireless power transmission with commercial aviation at an intercontinental scale, establishing a corridor-based, regionally focused decarbonization strategy. By coupling nationwide flight trajectories, solar infrastructure siting, and high-altitude power transfer modeling, the analysis reveals nonlinear synergies between solar deployment and route adoption. Results indicate that in sun-rich, high-traffic regions, short- to medium-haul routes can derive primary propulsion from this system with substantially reduced costs, while further gains are achievable through optimized scheduling and increased cruise altitudes.

Abstract

Decarbonizing aviation remains challenging because energy-dense jet fuels dominate beyond short-range operations, while batteries impose severe range and payload penalties. Here we evaluate a new infrastructure pathway in which utility-scale solar farms equipped with solar phased arrays wirelessly beam microwave power to hybrid-electric aircraft during cruise. Integrating 143,152 U.S. flight trajectories, 5,712 solar farms and wireless power transfer models, we quantify the spatial, temporal, and operational potential of this concept at continental scale. We find that benefits are highly concentrated in solar-rich, traffic-dense states and are dominated by short- and medium-range flights, accounting for nearly all delivered energy and cost savings. Schedule optimization and higher cruise altitudes further increase value by improving alignment between aircraft demand and beaming availability. Market penetration analysis reveals non-linear scaling between solar farm and flight adoption. These results show that wireless power beaming is best understood as a corridor-specific strategy complementing other aviation decarbonization pathways.

Problem

• aviation decarbonization
• wireless power transfer
• solar phased arrays
• hybrid-electric aircraft
• energy cost reduction

Innovation

• solar phased arrays
• wireless power transfer
• hybrid-electric aircraft
• aviation decarbonization
• microwave beaming