Solar UP!

WTC (Western Technical College) here in La Crosse served as one of the hosts/overnight stops for the American Solar Challenge for the 23 university solar car racing teams competing in the race which ended in Minneapolis, Minnesota yesterday. 


The cars departed yesterday morning from La Crosse.









This circuit race of the Americas included 9 stops besides days of scrutineering, qualifying and the race.

Teams arrive to be scrutineered after months of designing and building their solar cars.

For three days these cars are inspected to see if they comply mechanically, electrically and dynamically with the rules and safety requirements. Then the drivers and teams are also randomly assessed. Can they get out of their cars unassisted in 10 seconds? Besides braking, turning and stability, the drivers's experience  plays an equally important qualification.

Afterwards, another three days qualify teams after a lap endurance race like the Grand Prix. There's a minimum number of required laps for each driver.  Both the car's stability and driver's ability are judged before the car is allowed to go on the cross country race.

Next is the race where the cars will travel 7 states in 8 days. 23 teams participated this year from around the world.

Some interesting facts:

*Solar cars are very similar to electric cars but instead of using a   battery charger utilize energy from the sun.

*Their unusual appearance is to prevent aerodynamic drag.

*Although some cars clocked in at 100mph, local speed limits must observed and the average is 60 mph.

* There is ventilation for the drivers but no comforts such as AC, power locks/windows as these would consume energy and the car's performance. 

*Solar cars do carry batteries that can be used to store solar energy for cloudy days.

*Most cars have a small electric motor instead of a internal combustion model. Peak power rating's at less than 10 hp and motor efficiency is over 10%.

* These solar cars are not for sale but for demonstration and racing

The race days all have the same schedule.

7 am : Batteries released after being impounded the previous evening. Solar charging begins.

9 am  Green flad. Cars depart in one minute intervals.

Next 9 hours: Drive. Stopping in sunny spots to recharge/switch drivers/ fix issues and resume driving. Support vehicles refuel, observers swapped, route updates given, public viewing after staying allotted time. They're off.

6pm: Race ends. Solar charing begins. (45 min time allowance to find a safe place to stop.)

8pm  Batteries impounded with the observer not to be touched until the next day.

Until morning work can be done on the car, lodging and hopefully sleep...

I found the entire program fascinating and encouraging for the future alternative energy possibilities especially regarding our transportation.

Congrats to all the participants and good luck in your future endeavors as our planet depends on you...  even if we in the End of the Rainbow Valley won't get to use a solar powered car who'd ever thought there would be electric, hybrid and alternative vehicles on the market today?  

* All info and pics from the American Solar Challenge brochure.