World Solar Challenge

The World Solar Challenge is regarded as the toughest race for solar cars in the world. The track leads on public roads around 3,000 kilometers across Australia from Darwin to Adelaide in the north to the south coast. Since 1987 measure on the Stuart Highway teams from around the world. Most come from universities or from the automotive industry, and some schools.

The main objective of the competition is to promote and audience- presentation of research and development in the field of solar cars. Will be started in different categories, with the vehicles must meet requirements concerning solar panel size, minimum dimensions, battery capacity, roadworthiness etc.. The revised 2006 racing regulations directs the developments towards more usable solutions for offroad. Since 2007 launch solar vehicles have been built according to the old rules, in the Adventure Class. Up to eight square meters of solar cell area are allowed here.

Frame data

The total length is 3021 km. The Challenge takes place on public, not closed roads. It is the Road Traffic Act with speed limits in the north of no more than 130 km / h and 110 km / h to the south. The current record for this route was set up at the WSC 2005 by Nuon Solar Team of Delft University. The team needed for the route 29 hours and 11 minutes at an average speed of 102.75 km / h

Vehicle rules

From the World Solar Challenge will be issued to each race, a set of rules, where the solar car must meet to participate in the Challenger class. This is not the case, the vehicle can take part in the Adventure class. The main rules for the race strategy are those of the traction battery and the solar module.

The weight of the battery is reduced each year so far that about 5 kWh are available. 2009, the weight was 25 kg in 2011 at 21 kg.

The solar surface was allowed to exist in 2009 from 6 m² tandem solar cells solar cells. 2011, the area was limited in tandem solar cells on 3 m², so many teams have switched to 6 m² silicon solar cells.

Since 2007, an upright seating position of the driver is required to provide the drivers for better conditions. The provision but was bypassed by the teams by the driver's legs were relocated at head height.

Furthermore, were the rules for electric and mechanical safety tightened every year.

For 2013, a new class of vehicle was introduced ( Cruiser Class), which is to ensure that larger vehicles with multiple passengers to go to the start. For these to cover the distance within the race time, these vehicles may reload several times at the outlet. For the purely solar-powered Challenger Class four instead of the previous three wheels are required for new vehicles now. In addition, the vehicles must be in their country of origin have a regular street legal according to local law.

Race operation

The solar cars are from 8.00 bis 17:00 clock on the Stuart Highway on the road, on the night the race is neutralized. Since it is somewhat impractical depending on the environment to stop item 17 clock, the teams each have from 17 clock ten minutes time to find a resting place for the night. Immediately after stopping the solar panel is aligned to dusk as possible perpendicular to the incoming sun rays, so that the battery can be charged. At the start may be started with a fully charged battery while charging the race is only allowed on the vehicle panel or by recuperation. An important factor for success is the tactic for determining the optimal speed. In the calculation of target speed weather forecasts, slope profiles, battery charge, etc. are included. Most will be in the morning and in the evening when the sun is low, in addition requires energy from the battery. At noon, however, a part of the current delivered by the Panel can be used to recharge the battery in good weather conditions.

Each solar vehicle is accompanied by an official of the World Solar Challenge team, which monitors compliance with the rules. Among other things, this leaves the vehicle in the morning exactly the number of minutes after 8 clock start, as you carry on driving after 17 clock the night before. In almost all the villages on the way the race is interrupted for 30 minutes, which only serves to media and logistical purposes. While the journalists filming, taking pictures and asking questions that teams can change the driver to make minor work on the car and get fresh food. That's not the lightest drivers are preferred, get all the drivers with as much lead into the cockpit that they reach a standard weight of 80 kilograms.

Ranking since 1987

From 1987 to 1999, the World Solar Challenge took place every three years, every two years thereafter:

Find out more

• The race entry of a high school in Hawaii in 1996 was the subject of the U.S. feature film Race the Sun - In the race against time (Original Title: Race the Sun ), in which James Belushi, Halle Berry and Casey Affleck played the lead roles.
• In 1996 took a solar-powered airship the University of Stuttgart as a support vehicle in the competition. However, the air ship wrecked in a bush after the remote control no longer worked.