Solar Impulse developed the first solar-powered, manned airplane to fly for more than a day powered only by the sun.

Now the team plans to circumnavigate the globe in a new plane that will be powered by SunPower cells.

It’s an opportunity for the company’s technology to be used in a unique application that will gain international attention and push the boundaries of solar and battery storage technology.

Solar Impulse, founded by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, plans to circumnavigate the world in 2014 in HB-SIB, a plane that is now under construction. It’s based on HB-SIA, a solar prototype that has flown overnight, internationally, and has reached altitudes of 28,000 feet—about 1,000 feet lower than Mt. Everest’s peak.

HB-SIA’s wing span is wider than a 747 jumbo jet, yet it weighs less than a full-sized pickup truck. The new plane will likely be similar but more robust to endure the conditions it will experience during an international and transoceanic flight.

HB-SIA also relied on SunPower’s PV cells, according to Manuel Brachet, managing director of SunPower Systems, Sarl.

“As we saw with the prototype plane, the HB-SIA, the solar cells produced an efficiency of approximately 22.7 percent, delivering the power needed to propel the airplane during its test flights,” he said.

The newer plane will have approximately 22,000 PV cells embedded in its wing and tail.

“We expect the cells for the HB-SIB to produce similarly. The advantage with SunPower solar cell technology is that the performance is reliable, and there is no deterioration, so we know in advance how well they will perform,” Brachet said.

The efficiency of cells is important, as is the weight factor in this application more than others. SunPower’s cells—at about 135 microns thick—are very light. If you hold one on edge, you can barely see it.

While SunPower’s panels are primarily used for residential and commercial applications, the company supports other projects.

“We are supportive of unique applications, such as PlanetSolar's catamaran, Solar Impulse and the World Solar Challenge, to name a few,” Brachet said.

Its cells also powered NASA’s unmanned, solar-powered aircraft that flew to 96,863 feet.