I’m really proud of the technology because I was part of Solvay when the project began, many years ago.  No, I was not part of the project.  Flying around the world on nothing but solar power seemed like a unobtainable goal.

But here it is.  Happening now.  No fuel on board, The Solar Impulse even flies at night.

Here are some of the quotes I love:

Every difficulty is an opportunity.

[tweetthis]If you want to be really useful to others, you must go beyond knowledge.[/tweetthis]

If you are all pioneers and explorers the future will be a success.

I might be as excited about this, as I was about the moon landing.  It’s unlikely that we’ll have commercial airplanes jetting around people and goods.  Still, the light-weight materials developed, the aerodynamic design, and  the fuel-free technology has far reaching applications.  I mean, just think about the implications of the design of the solar panels, the battery technology,  94% efficient engines, and the lightness of the construction materials.

 Solar Impulse’s ambition is for the world of exploration and innovation to contribute to the cause of renewable energies, to demonstrate the importance of clean technologies for sustainable development; and to place dreams and emotions back at the heart of scientific adventure.

For more information about the project, videos, and diagrams of the construction, go to http://info.solarimpulse.com/en/our-adventure/building-a-solar-airplane/#.VXb-JmBQr4Y