I like this solar panel idea as you might be able to cover quite a bit of thrust energy required. Batteries add a lot of extra mass however, perhaps this would

I like this solar panel idea as you might be able to cover quite a bit of thrust energy required. Batteries add a lot of extra mass however, perhaps this would only be functional for day-time flight and then switching over to a chemical fuel source during night. I'll see if I can still edit my comment to account for the much greater steps up in cost as you are correct.