Solar Impulse Plans U.S. Flights, Builds Bigger Airplane

Switzerland-based Solar Impulse is planning “Across America” flights this spring to showcase its sun-powered aircraft to the U.S. public and demonstrate and develop the possibilities of solar energy. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the company is developing a second, larger aircraft that it hopes to fly around the world in 2015.

The “Across America” itinerary brings the aircraft from San Francisco to Phoenix and Dallas, then on to Saint Louis, Mo. or Atlanta, Ga., before Washington, D.C., and finally New York. The aircraft, registered HB-SIA, was scheduled to take off from California on May 1. The exact dates for each leg are fluid, as local weather conditions will determine when the aircraft can fly. HB-SIA has already flown in Europe and Morocco, and it achieved its first night flight when it flew for more than 26 hours in July 2010.