Solar Impulse has finally had its unveiling in Dubendorf, Switzerland. The Solar Impulse has a 63 meter wingspan that is the same as an Airbus A340 (63 meters). The airplane has and four gondolas, with lithium polymer batteries and a twin blade propeller with motors. All four engines are 10 HP electric motors, giving the Solar Impulse an average flying speed of 70 kilometers per hour.

Promoting his venture at the World Future Energy Summit, which was hosted in Abu Dhabi, Piccard talkedabout his pending adventure with great hope and enthusiasm. Flying around the world with Solar Impulse will increase renewable energy awareness, and inspire new ways of using alternative energy for motor vehicles, heating and computers.

Sharing the flight duties with Andre Borschberg, the duo will attempt non-stop flight, only touching down to change pilots.

Solar Impulse plans to fly an around the world trip in late 2012 or early 2013. Charles Lindbergh was the first man to attempt a non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and Piccard believes that recreating this epic flight using only solar power will be a wonderful promotion tool for alternative energy.

Piccard said: “People need solutions, not problems. So we have to demonstrate the solutions. We have to show that it’s possible to do great things.”