Solar Impulse 2 lands in Phoenix

PHOENIX — A solar-powered plane attempting to make a trip around the world landed late Monday at Phoenix Goodyear Airport.

The plane flew in from Moffett Airfield in Mountain View, Calif. The 720-mile journey took the plane 16 hours to complete, according to Solar Impulse.

The goal of the Jules Verne-style journey is to bring awareness to green energy, according to Solar Impulse. The plane is the first of its kind to achieve an oceanic crossing.

Solar Impulse pilot on energy innovation

Andre Borschberg, pilot of the Solar Impulse plane that is attempting to fly around the world using only solar energy, tells Paste BN how the flight has applications for many other industries.

Kim Hjelmgaard, Paste BN

This was the first Solar Impulse 2 flight across the North American continent; New York City is the final destination.The aircraft is the size of a Boeing 747, weighs 2.3 tons and carried one pilot, André Borschberg.

Last year, Borschberg and fellow Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard set out to circumnavigate the globe in the plane without using fuel or spewing polluting emissions.

The two have alternated who pilots the one-man craft on their journey around the world.

Those interested in following the plane's progress can subscribe to updates on Solar Impulse's website.

Follow Jerod MacEvoy on Twitter: @JerodMacEvoy