Solar Impulse 2 Lands in Varanasi India

Continuing our Shared Mission to Promote a Cleaner Future

Abu Dhabi, March 21, 2015:  Solar Impulse 2, the first aircraft to attempt a solar-powered round-the-world flight, successfully landed in Varanasi, India on March 18 at 9:40 p.m. UAE time.

With co-founder and CEO André Borschberg at the controls, the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad, at 5:38 a.m. after a week of community engagement events in the capital of Gujarat.

The state of Gujarat, leading India in terms of solar installations, was an ideal location for Solar Impulse to continue its mission to promote a cleaner future.

India, like the UAE is committed to diversifying their energy mix. While in Ahmedabad, Solar Impulse opened its tents to thousands of youth, as the project did in Abu Dhabi alongside official host partner Masdar, inspiring students to think creatively, innovate, and promote a more sustainable future.

“More than 400 million of India's population is living without electricity. It is very inspiring to see how Gujarat's pursued a sustainable path to address the energy access challenges with its extensive Solar Energy program,” said Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, director of sustainability at Masdar.  “Solar Impulse 2's message was well received in Varanasi. Similar to the experience the thousands of students across the UAE had interacting and learning about Solar Impulse's incredible achievements, we're proud to see that Masdar and Solar Impulse's message is so well received in India, inspiring youth, promoting the values of sustainable living, and garnering support for a cleaner future.”

The 15 hour flight to Varanasi from Ahmedabad marks the completion of the third leg of Solar Impulse's five-month 35,000 km mission.

While Solar Impulse is an ambitious scientific adventure, the visionary journey is also an airborne message for advancement of clean technology and environmental stewardship. Supported by Masdar and UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the #FutureIsClean initiative has been launched on www.FutureIsClean.org to mobilize individuals, organizations, celebrities and politicians to demand concrete action ahead of the Conference on Climate Change of the United Nations (COP21), which will define the new Kyoto protocol in December 2015 in Paris. The prizes for the platform's challenge are sponsored by Masdar.

The aircraft departed from its official host city, Abu Dhabi, on Monday at 7:12 a.m. en route to Oman and Tuesday morning from Muscat. It arrived in Ahmedabad, India today – completing a 16 hour, 1,465 km record-breaking trek for the revolutionary plane.

Following a brief stop in Varanasi, India, Solar Impulse took off for Mandalay, Myanmar with Bertrand Piccard in the cockpit. Solar Impulse will then continue its journey eastward, landing in Chongqing and Nanjing, China, prior to crossing the Pacific Ocean via Hawaii. Si2 will then fly across the Continental United States, stopping in three locations – Phoenix and New York City at JFK International Airport. A location in the Midwest will be decided dependent on weather conditions. After crossing the Atlantic, the final legs include a stop-over in Southern Europe or North Africa before arriving back in its host city, Abu Dhabi.