Abu Dhabi is looking to reach new heights in clean technology with the announcement that the capital will be hosting the first round-the-world solar-powered flight.
Pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will take off in Solar Impulse 2, a lightweight aircraft featuring over 17,000 solar panels, in March 2015.
Expected to take 25 flying days over four to five months, the Swiss team is currently finalising plans for stopovers in Asia, the United States and either Southern Europe or North Africa. The aim is to reach the Emirates again in July 2015.
The initiative is aimed at reinforcing the Emirate’s status as a pioneer in solar energy innovation.
With the arrival of the solar aircraft in Abu Dhabi, students in the capital will also be able to get in on the clean energy act, by taking part in special educational workshops with the team.
“Abu Dhabi, Masdar and Solar Impulse have in common a pioneering spirit, a long-term vision and a desire to explore new horizons,” said HE Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar. “We share a commitment to foster the development of technological advances in alternative energy sources in order to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
André Borschberg added: “We have chosen this location as being the best and most suitable departure and return point for the round-the-world tour due to its climate, infrastructure and commitment to clean technologies.”
Solar Impulse 2 made its maiden flight on 2nd June and has since completed 11 successful test flights.
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, is the host partner of Solar Impulse and will host the team for two months in the city for testing and training before the history-making flight.
