The Solar Impulse 2, the first solar plane to fly around the world, is scheduled to make a stopover in China later this month to promote environmental protection and raise awareness on renewable energy.
Jenny Piaget, a Swiss embassy staff in China, told the Global Times on March 17, Tuesday, that the plane is on the fifth leg of its world journey and will land in Chongqing in southwest China and Nanjing in east China before flying over the Pacific Ocean.
The Global Times reported that China Association for Science and Technology and the Swiss Embassy have prepared a series of activities during the plane's stay in the country, giving Chinese students a chance to study and learn more about the aircraft and aviation as well as discuss issues related to renewable energy.
Lyu Fang with the China Renewable Energy Society told the online paper that people can learn many things about the solar plane which symbolizes new energy and innovation. He said that the plane's visit brings something positive to China, which is currently confronted with growing issues related to energy and the environment.
According to a report by the Modern Express, a local newspaper in Nanjing, the welcome ceremonies for the plane will be conducted in a 16,000-square-meter mobile inflatable hangar at Nanjing Lukou International Airport.
The Solar Impulse 2 weighs less than two tons with a wingspan of more than 70 meters. It is powered by some 17,000 solar cells on its wings which allow it to fly day and night.
The historic solar plane started its journey in Abu Dhabi on March 9 and aims to set a record for flying 40,000 kilometers without the use of fossil fuel. It is being manned by two Swiss pilots.
The solar plane will undergo maintenance and checkup in Nanjing as part of its flight route before taking the biggest challenge of crossing the Pacific Ocean within the period of five days and nights.