Solar Flight is the first manned plane to fly 24 hours on solar power . Groundbreaking aircraft is now on a two - day trip across the United States . Four years earlier , Burt Rutan and Jeana Yeager flew a fossil fuel-powered plane , the Voyager , around the world nonstop without refueling . Adventurer Chris Piccard wants to pilot a solar plane around the world . Solar Impulse promotes renewable energy sources and energy - efficient technology .
Solar Flight is the first manned plane to fly 24 hours on solar power . Groundbreaking aircraft is now on a two - day trip across the United States . Adventurer Chris Piccard wants to pilot a solar plane around the world . Solar Impulse promotes renewable energy sources and energy - efficient technology .