In 100% sunshine the solar cell delivers up to 40 times the current needed to power the unit. Surplus power charges the buffer condensor, which can provide up to 45 minutes of normal operation when the sunlight itself is insufficient to power the Solario.

The primary design brief was that the Solario will always operate when it is bright enough to fly in thermals. The buffer provides sufficient power for those tricky times – when there are cloudy skies around sunset, and the sun disappears behind a mountain! Adequate sunlight is found outdoors – for indoor demonstration the unit may need to be charged under a lamp for a minute or so.

After switching on, you will hear the descent tone, rising until it switches off after between 10 and 60 seconds (depending on the sink rate threshold you have selected). This warm-up period is due to charging of certain internal components, so if you want to demonstrate the Solario you should always wait for about a minute after turn on.