The following links will guide you to the precedental work done in this domain.
Technology demonstration
The idea for this project has been around for a long time but it seems to be the first attempt to make it become real.
Considering the amount of fund required to build a full size prototype, the work has focussed on getting a smaller version to work and gather people, institutions and companies to participate to what could be viewed as a collaborative work.
Prototype Phoeby
Phoeby is the very first prototype: the proof of concept. The idea is to show that a smaller version of a paraglider can take off proppelled by an electric motor(brushless) and a canopy covered with solar cells.It is also a testdrive for the cells themself, for the analysis of energy consumption pattern and cells support.