The Swiss have unveiled a new airplane called Solar-Impulse and it is designed for long-range flying and it does that using the power of the sun only.

The sun’s energy is harnessed via 17,248 solar cells, and for flying in the dark, these solar cells can store energy in the onboard batteries. In theory, the plane can stay in flight for as long as the pilot wants. The project was started by Bertrand Piccard, who co-piloted the a non-stop balloon flight around the world in 1999, and André Borschberg, a Swiss businessman. André Borschberg is also the leader of the team that develops the systems for the plane.

The plane is preparing to fly around the globe in 2015.