Have you ever heard of Australia's World Solar Challenge? Here we explore the popular car race and learn about how the energy systems involved play a large part.
Every two to four years,
dozens of teams comprised of engineers, motor specialists, and solar energy systems technicians from around the world gather in Darwin, Australia to take place in the county's World Solar Challenge. The event was established to hold a competition between developers from a host of private businesses and universities to race a solar powered energy system through the Australian Outback.
These energy systems take their closest forms to that of a solar powered automobile, though many look like modern day race cars to long, sleek, boating vessels that travel on land. Some of these vehicles are cumbersome, oval-shaped and long, while others sit very low to the ground and resemble small alien UFO crafts. Nevertheless, enthusiasts from all around the world as well as various parts of Australia join for each race to witness the latest developments from students, engineers, scientists, and solar panel experts.
The race takes place over a 3,000 kilometer distance which consists of eleven checkpoints directly through the Australian continent. The race begins in Darwin, one of the northernmost coastal areas of Australia, and shoots directly south, ending in Adelaide. The checkpoints between these points are located in the following cities, from north to south: Katherine, Dunmarra, , Coober Pedy, Tennant Creek, Barrow Creek, Kulgera, Alice Springs, Glendambo, and Port Augusta.
The rules of the competition have evolved over time, but most set out to ensure that each vehicle is operating with similar energy systems that adhere to a set of predefined regulations. Some of these regulations target things like battery weight, measurements of the solar panels and frame of the car, and braking systems. Each racing device must register at least two drivers with a maximum of four. Each device must stop for 30 minutes at each checkpoint for minor maintenance. No repairs or battery replacements are allowed except in the situation of energy systems breakdown.
Since the inception of the race in 1987, the World Solar Challenge has held eleven races. Japan and the Netherlands hold a tie for the winning lead with four Challenger wins each, Australia with two wins, Switzerland with one, and the United States with the first and only win to date. The last seven races were won by universities and only three by private companies: two by Honda and one by General Motors.
The World Solar Challenge has provided a great and fun incentive for companies and research departments around the world to invest in the research and development of solar energy systems. Through such an incentive, universities and businesses catalyze innovation, bringing forth new, more efficient, more advanced technologies with each passing year. Ultimately, the same type of systems used to power the mobility of these cars may eventually wind up on the commercial market, replacing coal burning as an source for energy.
