A solar-powered car developed by universities in Colombia will compete in the top category at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge for the first time.
EPM Colombian and Eafit University developed the vehicle to take part in the most important competition in the world for solar cars, which starts next Sunday in Australia. The cars race over a distance of 3,000 kilometers from the city of Darwin on Australia’s northern tip, to Adelaide on the south coast. Races are set to take place between the 6th and 13th October.
Requirements for participation include a battery capable of 5kW hours of stored energy – 10% of what a 1000kW car would ordinarily use on the 50-hour journey – that is recharged exclusively by a solar panel. The battery cannot exceed six square meters and must have a lithium ion of no more than 21 kilograms.
Ignacio Velez Jorge Pérez , a researcher with EPM Colombian said: “What we want is to have is as efficient an equation as possible.” He added that the Colombian team’s goal is to complete the race in six days and be among the top teams.”
Sources
- Primer vehículo solar colombiano se clasificó en carreras de Australia (Caracol Radio)
- Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2013 (Official Site)