Article Posted on : - Jan 10, 2010

Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse, first manned solar plane. A file photo

DUBAI (PTI): An airplane, entirely powered by solar energy, dubbed as a technological breakthrough, will feature at the third World Future Energy Summit (WFES) that will host world leaders, policy makers, experts and investors from hundred countries across the world.

The project was developed by Bertrand Piccard, President of Solar Impulse and will present his innovation at the session "Achieving the unachievable: around the world in a solar plane" at the summit to be held in Abu Dhabi from January 18 to 21.

Piccard came up with the idea of a solar plane after his first non-stop around the world balloon flight in 1999.

"To achieve this success, we took off with almost 4 tons of liquid propane and landed with only 40 kilos. Realising that lack of fuel could have failed our expedition, I made a promise to myself - next time, I if I had to fly around the world, I will do it without fuel," Piccard said.

"I am looking forward to talking about the project and hope that it helps to demonstrate the potential of renewable energies," he said.

To create this zero fuel airplane, Impulse Solar will apply new aeronautical solutions and accent has been put on reducing energy consumption new aerodynamic features.

The summit will have sessions on how renewable energy can and be applied to daily lives, including e-mobility, green building and architecture, vehicles, fuels and power trains.

Over 600 exhibitors from 50 countries will exhibit at the World Future Energy and Environment Exhibitions at the summit.