Parliament applauds Solar Impulse

NEW DELHI: Hours after the Solar Impulse, world’s most advanced solar powered aircraft, landed at Ahmedabad airport, the Parliament on Wednesday applauded the mission which is aimed to showcase the power of solar energy to the world.

The aircraft, which has been on its first around-the-world trip without using a drop of fossil fuel, had taken off from Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday morning and landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport, Ahmedabad on late Tuesday night after an eleven hour pit-stop en route in Muscat, Oman.

Underlining importance of such an innovative mission which is expected to take round of the world by July or August, Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan praised efforts of Swiss innovators for developing such an aircraft and highlighted the significance of Ahmedabad as choice of its first landing site in India.

Making suo moto statement in Lok Sabha on successful landing of the Solar Impulse (Si2), the minister said Gujarat has pioneered large scale harnessing and distribution of solar energy for everyday use and taken initiative in setting up ‘Solar Park’ as the largest hub of solar power generation in Asia that is currently generating more than 1000 MW of power.

Though initially the solar powered aircraft was planned to first land in New Delhi before moving to its next stop Varanasi in India, the organizers had later opted for Ahmedabad. The Solar Impulse, which is capable of flying day and night solely on solar power, will leave Ahmedabad for Varanasi on March 15.

Describing the ‘Solar Impulse’ as a significant development in the world of science and technology, Harsh Vardhan said, it was of “most profound importance for the future of not only India, its economy and society, but also the survival of the human civilization which is threatened by over-exploitation of nature and the climate change”.

He said, “It (Solar Impulse) is on a mission to spread information about the fantastic possibilities of life free of fossil fuels. Its success will serve to convince all humanity that the Sun is the supreme source of energy with limitless powers. It is also the major source of power which renews itself every day and forever”.

In his statement, the minister also spoke about India’s new goal to generate 100,000 MW of Solar power by 2022 and said, “The presence of Si2 in our midst today should make us believe that this is a possible target”.

He also urged the people to ensure that coal, oil, wood and all traditional forms of energy, used for daily needs, are made a history.

The Solar Impulse team will stay in Ahmedabad for three more days for visits and events organized to promote renewable energies and clean technologies. The next legs of the round-the-world attempt will include Varanasi and Mandalay (Myanmar) before reaching China.