First Solar Plane To Circle Globe In 2011 To Promote Clean Energy

June 20, 2009 7:41 a.m. EST

Shenyang, China (AHN) - The world's first plane powered solely by sunlight will fly around the world in 2011 as part of a project to promote the use of sustainable and clean energy, according to a sponsor of the aircraft.

The Solar Impulse will fly for 30 days and land once on each continent, Jean Cai, vice president of Deutsche Bank (China) Co., Ltd., told Xinhuanet.com. The bank is one of the sponsors of a project to develop the plane.

"The solar plane project is aimed at promoting sustainable energy in the world and the potential and future of clean energy and solar energy," said Cai, according to Xinhuanet.com.

The Solar Impulse, a model of which is currently exhibited in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning Province, has 12,000 photovoltaic cells, a 207 feet wingspan, a weight of 3,527 pounds and a travel speed of 43 mph.

Cai said the plane will be shown to the public on June 26 at Dubendorf airfield next to Zurich, Switzerland.