This morning at 9 am and after a non-stop 26 hour flight, the unique solar plane Solar Impulse HB-SIA landed safely in Payerne, Switzerland. André Borschberg was obviously emotional when he got out of the cockpit. He could not describe his feelings yet. "I've been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career," he exclaimed. "And finally the joy of seeing the sun rise and feeling the energy beginning to circulate in the solar panels again. I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution."

Numerous of bystanders had gathered to witness this historic moment. It was an ambitious journey André Borschberg set out to with the plane yesterday morning: the first non-stop day and night flight of a solar plane.  With this successful mission, Solar Impulse has made a further step along the way to a cleaner future.

The whole team had gathered on the runway to welcome André Borschberg after this successful flight. "Bravo André! You have just proved that what I have been dreaming about for the last 11 years, is possible", cried out Bertrand Piccard, initiator and president of the project, when he welcomed his companion at the cockpit and he added: "This is a crucial step forward, ... , and allows us now to get closer to the perpetual flight without using a drop of fuel!" Moreover, both Solar Impulse founders agreed: "The success also belongs to Solvay, Omega, the Deutsche Bank and all our partners without whom this demonstration of the potential of renewable energy and new technologies would not have been possible."

The previous night has shown what people with corporate and innovation spirit can achieve jointly.  Solar Impulse sets new standards in the areas of aerodynamics, construction, propulsion and flight performance and during this special night it has been able to demonstrate the immense potential of renewable energies. The 12.000 solar cells on the wing of the airplane were able to generate enough energy for the entire night flight – a great success for the Solar Impulse Team and a giant stride towards the circumnavigation of the world. From 2012, Solar Impulse is supposed to take off for its flight around the world as the first manned solar plane and to set in motion no less than a revolution in the usage of renewable energie.

See more on the Solar Impulse live webcast.