The World Solar Challenge is a solar-powered car race which covers 3,021 km (1,877 mi) through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide.
The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools. The race has a 20-year history spanning nine races, with the inaugural event taking place in 1987.
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The objective of this competition is to promote research on solar-powered cars. Teams from universities and enterprises participate. In 2005, 22 teams from 11 countries entered the primary race category.
Efficient balancing of power resources and power consumption is the key to success during the race. At any moment in time the optimal driving speed depends on the weather (forecast) and the remaining capacity of the batteries. The team members in the (normal) escort cars will continuously remotely retrieve data from the solar car about its condition and use these data as input for prior developed computer programs to work out the best driving strategy.
It is equally important to charge the batteries as much as possible in periods of daylight when the car is not racing. To capture as much solar-energy as possible, the solar panels are generally directed such that these are perpendicular to the incident sun rays. Often the whole car is tilted for this purpose.
By 2005, several teams were handicapped by the South Australian speed limit of 110 km/h (68 mph), as well as the difficulties of support crews keeping up with 130 km/h (81 mph) race vehicles. It was generally agreed that the challenge of building a solar vehicle capable of crossing Australia at vehicular speeds had been met and exceeded. A new challenge was set: to build a new generation of solar car, which, with little modification, could be the basis for a practical proposition for sustainable transport
Entrants to the 2007 race chose between racing in the Adventure and Challenge classes. Challenge class cars were restricted to 6 square meters of solar collectors (a 25% reduction), driver access and egress were required to be unaided, seating position upright, steering controlled with a steering wheel, and many new safety requirements were added. Competitors also had to adhere to the new 130 km/h (81 mph) speed limit across the Northern Territory portion of the Stuart Highway.
The 2007 event again featured a range of supplementary classes, including the Greenfleet class, which features a range of non-solar energy-efficient vehicles exhibiting their fuel efficiency.
Panasonic was the primary sponsor of the 2007 World Solar Challenge[1] which ran from October 21 to 28, 2007.
For the challenge class several new rules were adopted, including the use of profiled tyres. Battery weight limits depend on secondary cell chemistries so that competitors have similar energy storage capabilities.[2]
The idea for the competition originates from Danish-born adventurer Hans Tholstrup. He was the first to circumnavigate the Australian continent in a 16-foot (4.9 m) open boat. At a later stage in his life he became involved in various competitions with fuel saving cars and trucks. Already in the 1980s, he became aware of the necessity to explore sustainable energy as a replacement for the limited available fossil fuel. Sponsored by BP, he designed the world's first solar car, called The Quiet Achiever, and traversed the 4,052 km (2,518 mi) between Sydney and Perth in 20 days. That was the precursor of the World Solar Challenge.
After the 4th race, he sold the rights to the state of South Australia and leadership of the race was assumed by Chris Selwood.
The race was held every three years until 1999 when it was switched to every two years.
Race | Year | Class | Vehicle Number | Winner | Team | Country | Total racetime (hrs:min) | Average Speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 1987 | 23 | Sunraycer | General Motors | United States of America | 44:54 | 66.9 | |
2. | 1990 | 38 | Spirit of Biel/Bienne II | Engineering College of Biel | Switzerland | 46:08 | 65.2 | |
3. | 1993 | 55 | Dream | Honda | Japan | 35:28 | 85.0 | |
4 | 1996 | 46 | Dream | Honda | Japan | 33:53 | 89.8 | |
5. | 1999 | 43 | Aurora 101 | Aurora Vehicle Association/RMIT University | Australia | 41:06 | 73.0 | |
6. | 2001 | 37 | Alpha Centauri Team (Nuna 1) |
TU Delft | Netherlands | 32:39 | 91.8 | |
7. | 2003 | 33 | Nuon Solar Team (Nuna 2) |
TU Delft | Netherlands | 31:05 | 97.02 | |
8. | 2005 | 30 | Nuon Solar Team (Nuna 3) |
TU Delft | Netherlands | 29:11 | 102.8 | |
9. | 2007 | Challenge | 23 | Nuon Solar Team (Nuna 4) |
TU Delft | Netherlands | 33:00 | 90.87 |
Adventure | 18 | TIGA | Ashiya University | Japan | 32:03 | 93.57 | ||
10. | 2009 | Challenge | 32 | Tokai Challenger | Tokai University | Japan | 29:49 | 100.54 |
Challenge Class Silicon | 25 | Sunswift IVy | University of New South Wales | Australia | 39:18 | 76.28 | ||
Adventure | 24 | OSU Model S' | Osaka Sangyo University | Japan | 34:45 | 86.27 | ||
11. | 2011 | Challenge | 1 | Tokai Challenger | Tokai University | Japan | 32:45 | 91.54 |