/EINPresswire.com/ -- BERN, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwired - April 21, 2016) - The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) salutes Solar Impulse's takeoff for the second part of its world tour. The endeavor, led by Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, demonstrates how innovative and unique projects are paving the way toward the energy future of our planet.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs salutes the successful takeoff of the Solar Impulse aircraft, which is the result of a strong partnership between the Swiss Confederation and the initiators of the project. Since the project began in 2003, the Swiss Confederation has provided material, administrative and financial support to the innovative endeavor through various agencies and branches such as the EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne), the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), and the FDFA in particular. The entirely solar-powered airplane completed the first part of its world tour from March to July 2015.

The aircraft, which represents the Swiss pioneering spirit in the clean-tech sector, took off today to travel its route from Hawaii to Abu Dhabi in various stages. The round-the-world tour will cover approximately 21,748 miles at 31 miles per hour to 62 miles per hour. Solar Impulse has already surpassed many milestones and will continue to break Swiss aviation records during its transoceanic crossings.

Through close collaboration with the EPFL and Swiss companies, Switzerland is represented in the production of the aircraft. Solar Impulse is a symbol of Swiss innovation in sustainable development and environmental protection. 

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