Harmonious & Collaborative Sunshine (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
(Please click on red links & note magenta)
The aggresive Chinese NEA in the previous post has inspired me to have a closer look at some of the current Chinese effort toward solar energy. Interestingly, some new development regarding Hanergy Holding getting ready to launch five models of solar-powered cars in October this year got my attention, for I’ve had a history of covering the solar car events since 2011.
Hanergy is a privately held Chinese multinational renewable energy company founded in 1994 by Li Hejun (its current chairman and CEO). Its headquarter is in Beijing. It is active in solar, wind and hydropower generation and is one of the world’s largest thin-film solar power company. Hanergy was ranked No. 23 in the 2014 list of 50 Smartest Companies by MIT Technology Review, noting “the Chinese energy company is snapping up advanced solar technologies at fire-sale prices.”
As the market share of thin film photovoltaic panels is expected to decline each year to 2017, according to one of the NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report, it is not surprising that Hanergy has been further exploring and expanding into other clean energy territories such as auto sector. Considering the fact that transportation vehicle is one of the main contributing factors for CO2 emission and particulates pollution any where on planet earth, Hanergy Holding is likely to continue to have tremendous impact toward cleaning our earthly environment in the future.
Solar Charging Station (credit: Hanergy)
Hanergy was on the top of Tesla‘s list of collaborators for the first PV Supercharger station in China. Two solar PV charging systems designed and manufactured by Hanergy Solar Group (at Tesla’s request), were showcased in April, 2014, by Tesla. Finally, some body has taken up on Elon Musk’s offer of Tesla’s patents for free! Plans for Tesla’s supercharger network in China will continue to roll out in large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Tesla’s founder Elon Musk said: “In the future, Tesla will work with partners to build supercharger network. The first charging station in Beijing was built in cooperation with Hanergy Solar Group. Tesla will continue to invest in the construction of superchargers in China, aiming to quickly expand the network.” Elon Musk also noted that large investments will be brought into China for the building of seven Supercharger networks.
The two solar PV charging systems showcased were somewhat different, as indicated in the press release at the time, below (in italics):
The Beijing carport, a mobile carport designed to be assembled and transported, adopts Hanergy’s GSE flexible thin-film solar modules. The Shanghai carport will be a fixed structure, and adopts Hanergy’s MiaSole CIGS high-efficiency modules. The first phase of both carports has been completed.
The PV charging system by Hanergy Solar Group protects vehicles like ordinary carports, while (at the same time) converting sunlight into electricity (via) its solar rooftop. At the same time, the system charges the electric vehicle through its energy storage system. The system uses the CIGS thin-film PV technology, the most advanced in the world. With conversion rates peaking at 20.5%, this technology offers light weight, flexibility, excellent low-light performance and advanced packaging. More importantly, no fixed column is required, which significantly reduces the cost.
Vice President of Hanergy Global Solar Power and Application Group, Ms. Zhang Qingliang, stated: “Hanergy has been actively exploring ways to utilize its thin-film photovoltaic technology to provide solutions through technological innovation and cross industrial integration. We have been working with multiple domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers to integrate solar, and is also researching on energy storage, photovoltaic car roof and other solar-automobile applications.”
As Hanergy continues working with three domestic and two foreign companies on solar powered cars, it will be interesting for us to keep our eyes on what 5-models of solar cars that will be unveiled in October of 2015. With an earthly population of over one billion people, China will provide a huge potential market for future solar cars. The collaboration between Hanergy and Tesla in solar electric cars and supercharging stations will bring forth not only the vehicle of Solar Energy Age, Cleaner Environment, but an important appreciation for multinational collaboration. This is truly the kind of success through Harmonious Collaboration that our planet needs more of on our way toward a brighter, healthier, and better world.
P.S. The English edition of China’s New Energy Revolution by renewable energy advocate and Hanergy Chairman Li Hejun is now available for purchase in bookstores across the U.S. as well as in e-book format.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, photographed, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be welcomed via sunisthefuture@gmail.com“”.
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics: www.sunisthefuture.net
If you prefer to listen rather than to read, audio portion of this post is available at: AUDIO (<–Click)
Dear Friends & Visitors/Viewers/Readers,
(Please click on red links below)
I just spent a full day at WordCamp 2012 at Orlando, FL, learning how much more I can improve this site. Wow, I certainly have much to do….thanks to all of those WordPress volunteers responsible for organizing this event! Well done! Much appreciated!
Today’s post is an embellishment of May 7, 2012 post on Solar Future From The Eye of a Twelve-Year-Old, Solar Cells in 3D . Life is simply delicious when the confluence of my three hobbies, origami-math-solar, would play a part in our energy future by boosting the efficiency level of solar panel. For those of you who have been following this site (http://www.sunisthefuture.net) for almost two years, hopefully you have come to realize the three difficult triad historically associated with being the barrier to prevalent implementation of solar energy is: cost, efficiency, and battery storage. Our previous post in Nov. 27, 2012, reported on dramatic decline in cost of solar energy. I will present to you, in today’s post, an interesting way to increase solar efficiency, followed by next post’s piece on battery storage.
Below is a wonderful presentation by Robert Lang, “The Math and Magic of Origami”, selected from TED talks, demonstrating the use of origami concept in increasing solar efficiency.
Regardless be it from researchers in MIT, Virginia Tech, or the teen William Yuan, they have all utilized the origami concept to dramatically boost the efficiency or power produced by solar panels (ranging from doubling to 20 times or more than the traditional fixed flat panels, claimed by some researchers/experimenters). The origami-like 3D solar structure is much more efficient than the flat panels, absorbing more light and generating more power than a flat panel containing the same area footprint. The idea is that all unused light which has been reflected off one panel would be captured by other panels. Panels of this type is most ideal in situation with limited space. “This was a fully ‘bio-inspired‘ idea. I was hiking up at Lake Tahoe in California and noticing the shapes of trees, and wondering, ‘Why do they have a given shape over another?'” said researcher Jeffrey Grossman, a theoretical physicist at MIT. In the past researchers in photovoltaic panels have kept these panels mostly flat to prevent any shadow effect because shadowing would diminish the amount of light panels harvest. Furthermore, 2D panels are easier to install on rooftops and better suited for large-scale fabrication techniques. Scientists now use a genetic algorithm in a computer simulation to determine the optimal 3D shape for harvesting the largest amount of light for solar panels. This algorithm creates random combinations of flat, triangular, double-sided panels and analyze them in response to the sun’s movement across the sky. The best ones are selected to be mated to create “offspring”;this process is then repeated for millions of generations to see what might evolve.
A huge advantage of 3D solar panels is that they require no moving parts and generate an even flow of power throughout the day. In order to achieve this with flat panels, they must be arranged on a tracking system that moves with the sun, “which is a big bummer, since you really don’t want any moving parts sitting on your rooftop,” Grossman said. Anything that moves can break easily and requires more maintenance. It is exciting that this simple idea will ultimately help to reduce the cost of solar power. We wish much success with these researchers and experimentalists in coming up with the optimal, computer generated, 3D designs.
~have a bright and sunny day~
gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your questions, comments, suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
It is with both pleasure and excitement that I’d like to unveil the video of today, “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (1 of 2) posted under August 14, 2012 and (2 of 2) will be posted under August 15, 2012) “, for this is the first time for me to use movie/video editing software. I’ve learned that one needs to be relentless in cutting footage and meticulous in tapering the music at the beginning and ending of each segment. I’ve even explored many sites online for royalty free music and discovered that background music makes tremendous difference in the final product. There is definitely still much more to be learned. After spending much time editing various footage, synchronizing and fading in or fading out of the music, and overcoming frustration in having to deal with instability with certain movie making software, I’ve moved on to Adobe Premier Pro (much more reliable and time-saving). But for the moment, take a look at this clip below and compare it to the twenty-six videos already uploaded at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel (footages prior to yours truly’s attempt at compositing and adding of music) and either leave a comment below or email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com to let me know of your preference or suggestions. In the “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012”, I selected only the most memorable moments (such as University of Michigan’s hydroplaning experience, Oregon State University’s picking up a cat and named it Tesla, Illinois State University’s encountering Ohio state police and receiving donuts in exchange for wearing hats, Principia College’s breaking their own record on speed of repair work, etc.) that occurred during this solar car race;those of you who were interviewed may still be able to find the uncut and uncomposited versions at sunisthefuture Youtube Channel. Please be very forgiving of my first time working with Adobe Premier Pro. Nevertheless, I am pleased with the fact that I can actually refer to myself as a producer, for the first time, in sharing these special moments of energized solar enthusiasts…driven by the magical dust of sunshine. I would also like to thank my hubby Michael Nunamaker for being very helpful in playing the part of a camera man and technical support whenever I needed an extra hand. Of course, this short film would not have been possible without all of those who sponsored and participated in American Solar Challenge 2012 (July 14, 2012-July 21, 2012). I look forward to producing more films for solar energy events in the future. Finally, due to the fact that I was learning to use 4-5 different pieces of software these past few days, I had to delay posting quite a few articles until the coming week. Keep checking because there will be quite a few new articles about various aspects of progress made in solar energy industry. Without further ado, “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (1 of 2)”, below, and “Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (2 of 2) will soon follow (will be posted on August 15, 2012 at http://sunisthefuture.net):
This is a composite of most special moments of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012, filmed near the finish line, the Capitol Building of St. Paul, MN., on July 21, 2012. Footage are filmed mostly by Michael Nunamaker (segment on driver Larry Chan of University of MN is filmed by Susan Sun Nunamaker), interviewed, edited, and uploaded by Susan Sun Nunamaker of Sun Is The Future at http://sunisthefuture.net of Susan Sun Nunamaker. This is a project out of appreciation and belief in solar energy as the most promising CLEAN energy for the future of earthlings. We would like to share the trials, tribulations, and special moments of all participating schools (University of Michigan, Iowa State University, Western Michigan University, Principia College, MIT, CalSol/University of CA-Berkeley, University of Minnesota, Oregon State University, Illinois State University, Montreal Polytechnique, New Paltz/State Universtiy of NY, Michigan State University) students, and alumni during the American Solar Challenge (ASC) of 2012. The film has demonstrated the enthusiasm, cooperative spirit, and perpetual optimism pervasive among those involved with solar energy/industry. This is a car race of the most special kind, running on solar energy. We look forward to many more years of covering this special race.
For your viewing pleasure, I have edited/combined 26 videos in order to complete this film. Due to the purchased royalty free music added, this particular film will be under the Standard YouTube License rather than the Creative Commons License. I hope you will enjoy viewing it. If you’d like to get hold of the video under Creative Commons License, the original (uncomposited, without music) 26 video clips can be found at sunisthefuture YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/sunisthefuture?feature=results_main
“Special Moments of American Solar Challenge 2012 (2 of 2)” will be posted under August 15, 2012.
Again, any of your comments, questions, suggestions, concerns will be welcomed below or via sunisthefuture@gmail.com
P.S. If any of you have any learning experience from working with Adobe After Effects, I’d appreciate any pointer or helpful links. Thank you.
Here are the results of Stage 5 and Overall Final Results of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012 you’ve been waiting for. July 21, 2012, was the end of the Stage 5 and overall American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012, right in front of the Capitol Building of St. Paul, MN. Even though there’s been rain during the early part of the day, the sky had cleared and the sun was welcomed by all participants and supporters of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012 around noon.
Capitol Building at St. Paul, MN, on July 21, 2012, the finish point of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012
Stage 5 Results
Team # and Name
LaCrosse Start 7/21
St. Paul Finish 7/21
Stage 5 Penalty Time
Stage 5 Elapsed Time
35 – Minnesota
09:05:00
12:58:57
00:00:00
03:53:57
32 – Principia
09:02:00
13:31:11
00:00:00
04:29:11
254 – CalSol
09:03:00
13:28:17
00:12:00
04:37:17
9 – Iowa State
09:01:00
13:50:42
00:00:00
04:49:42
2 – Michigan
09:00:00
14:23:55
00:00:00
05:23:55
20 – Western Michigan
09:05:00
14:36:52
00:00:00
05:31:52
256 – Oregon State
09:04:00
15:21:35
00:01:00
06:18:35
5 – Illinois State
09:07:00
Trailer
05:48:54
12:48:54
55 – Montreal
09:06:00
Trailer
04:38:15
11:38:15
28 – New Paltz
09:09:00
Trailer
06:27:42
13:27:42
4 – MIT
09:11:00
Trailer
07:08:48
14:08:48
Last updated 7/21/12 – 22:00 Central. Times given as hh:mm:ss.
Univ of MN team (with their solar car & mascot) was the first to arrive at the finish line of Stage 5
These photo images are photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker at http://sunisthefuture.net.
Images are under Creative Commons with Attribution (just mention photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker at http://sunisthefuture.net)
Principia College, the liberal arts college of about 500 students consistently overcame all challenges
CalSol/Univ of CA-Berkeley team running to greet their solar car
Iowa State University's Hyperion returning to the finish line, with its team members running along side of it
Univ of MI, came in first from Stage 1-4, and is the winner of overall American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012
Western Michigan University zoomed into the finish line in its golden chariot
Oregon State University solar car, escorted by its enthusiastic team members
Illinois State University completing the race, cheered on by supporters. This is also the team that was stopped by OH state trooper along their journey.
Montreal Polytechnique Esteban arriving, with its fluttering flag above
SUNY's New Paltz, a 2nd year participant, learned a great deal and appreciated support from other teams
MIT's Chopper Del Sol encountered a moderate crash on second day, but team members repaired parts and persevered to the end
Here is a quick post on the outcome of Stage 4 of American Solar Challenge 2012, below (University of Michigan-First; Principia College-Second;CalSol-UC Berkeley-Third):
Team # and Name
Normal Start 7/19
Verona Arrival 7/19
LaCrosse Finish 7/20
Stage 4 Penalty Time
Stage 4 Elapsed Time
2 – Michigan
09:00:00
14:23:10
12:43:47
00:16:00
11:59:47
32 – Principia
09:02:00
16:21:44
15:16:31
00:02:00
14:18:31
254 – CalSol
09:03:00
16:31:04
16:30:46
00:03:00
15:33:46
9 – Iowa State
09:01:00
15:22:27
16:26:49
00:10:00
15:36:49
4 – MIT
09:10:00
15:33:23
16:04:52
00:56:00
16:00:52
35 – Minnesota
09:05:00
16:57:01
17:58:52
0:02:00
17:00:52
55 – Montreal
09:05:00
Trailer
10:58:57
28:58:57
5 – Illinois State
09:06:00
Trailer
11:54:57
29:54:57
256 – Oregon State
09:04:00
Trailer
13:11:09
31:11:09
20 – Western Michigan
09:04:00
Trailer
14:07:57
32:07:57
28 – New Paltz
09:08:00
Trailer
TBD
18:00:00
Last updated 7/20/12 – 23:37 Central. Times given as hh:mm:ss.
Remember that Stage 5 will be completed on July 21, 2012, between
La Crosse, WI to St. Paul, MN
Stage 5 will start on July 21st at Western Technical College, 750 Badger St (Parking Lot D), La Crosse, WI 54601
Finish on July 21st at Minnesota State Capitol, MLK Boulevard, St. Paul,
MN 55155.Finish line closes at 4pm.
——————————————————————————————————————
Now that I’ve gotten your attention, I would also like to take this opportunity to share a video clip of a discussion/interview involving two leaders of our energy world, Mr. Bill Gates and Secretary of Department of Energy Steven Chu in discussing how America can meet and prosper from 21st century global energy challenges (moderated by John Podesta during the ARPA-E2012 Summit), below.
I would also like to share another important incentive policy for renewable/solar energy, Feed-In-Tariff(please click) that would help to speed up our transition into renewable energy age.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
Here are the Stage 2 (July 15-16, 2012: Erie, PA to Mansfield, OH and Mansfield, OH to Ann Arbor, MI) and Stage 3 (July 17-18, 2012: Ann Arbor, MI to Kalamazoo, MI and Kalamazoo, MI to Normal, IL) Results of American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012, below:
ASC2012 Stage 2 Results: University of Michigan-First;University of Minnesota-Second;Principia College-Third
Team # and Name
Erie Start 7/15
Mansfield Arrival 7/15
Ann Arbor Finish 7/16
Penalty Time
Stage 2 Elapsed Time
2 – Michigan
09:00:00
14:20:38
11:31:55
00:01:00
10:32:55
35 – Minnesota
09:02:00
16:01:45
14:23:16
00:02:00
13:25:16
32 – Principia
09:04:00
16:38:10
15:22:48
00:00:00
14:22:48
254 – CalSol
09:02:00
16:47:14
16:31:19
00:01:00
15:32:19
9 – Iowa State
09:01:00
16:03:25
00:00:00
16:03:25
256 – Oregon State
09:07:00
16:55:27
00:12:00
17:07:27
5 – Illinois State
09:08:00
Trailer
05:57:36
23:57:36
28 – New Paltz
09:10:00
Trailer
12:48:12
30:48:12
55 – Montreal
09:09:00
Trailer
14:25:12
32:25:12
20 – Western Michigan
09:03:00
Trailer
17:54:12
35:54:12
4 – MIT
09:05:00
Trailer
29:10:06
47:10:06
Last updated 7/16/12 – 23:50 Eastern. Times given as hh:mm:ss.
ASC2012 Stage 3Results: University of Michigan-First;Iowa State University-Second;Principia College-Third
Team # and Name
Ann Arbor Start 7/17
Kalamazoo Arrival 7/17
Normal Finish 7/18
Penalty Time
Stage 3 Elapsed Time
2 – Michigan
09:00:00
13:02:09
13:14:15
00:12:00
12:26:15
9 – Iowa State
09:03:00
13:29:33
14:57:33
00:10:00
14:02:33
32 – Principia
09:02:00
14:15:17
17:57:00
00:15:00
17:12:00
254 – CalSol
09:04:00
15:08:08
17:02:08
00:02:00
16:04:08
256 – Oregon State
09:05:00
14:30:12
17:18:44
00:12:00
16:30:44
35 – Minnesota
09:01:00
13:35:20
Trailer
04:01:03
22:01:03
5 – Illinois State
09:06:00
Trailer
11:33:27
29:33:27
28 – New Paltz
09:07:00
Trailer
12:12:09
30:12:09
20 – Western Michigan
09:06:00
14:26:34
Trailer
06:18:45
24:18:45
55 – Montreal
09:05:00
Trailer
10:46:39
28:46:39
4 – MIT
09:09:00
14:22:40
Trailer
11:35:33
29:35:33
Last updated 7/18/12 – 23:40 Central. Times given as hh:mm:ss.
Next stage, Stage 4, will start on July 19-20, 2012: Normal, IL to Verona, WI and Verona, WI to La Crosse, WI
Stage Start on July 19th at Illinois State University, 210 N School St (Parking Lot F67), Normal, IL 61761
Checkpoint on July 19th at Reddan Soccer Park, 6874 Cross Country Road , Verona, WI 53593. Checkpoint opens at 11am and closes at 5:45pm.
Stage Stop on July 20th at Western Technical College, 750 Badger St (Parking Lot D), La Crosse, WI 54601
Final stage, Stage 5, will start on July 21, 2012: La Crosse, WI to St. Paul, MN
Stage Start on July 21st at Western Technical College, 750 Badger St (Parking Lot D), La Crosse, WI 54601
Finish on July 21st at Minnesota State Capitol, MLK Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.Finish line closes at 4pm.
*Some of the interviews with various American Solar Challenge 2012 teams have already been loaded up to sunisthefuture channel & susansunnunamaker’s channel at Youtube (and more will be uploaded as the week continues), so be sure to check them out!
More videos will be available in future posts. Any of your comments, suggestions, questions, and concerns will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
This post will be a continuing reporting on American Solar Challenge (ASC) 2012. Since many of the ASC teams have displayed tremendous amount of team effort, enthusiasm, and support from their schools, community, and alumni, Sun Is The Future would like to take this opportunity to share images of these special moments that were necessary in order to make the ASC solar car race possible, moments of cooperative team spirit, of ingenuity in solving problems, of willingness to do what it takes to carry the torch toward our Renewable and Solar Energy Age….
Hope you will enjoy these photos below, all under ( Creative Commons with attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net).
More interviews/videos with various team members will be coming in future posts. Until then,
~have a bright and sunny day~
written, photographed, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
University of Michigan students unloading their solar car Quantum. Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker of www.sunisthefuture.net
Illinois State University students were the first to arrive at display area (Rochester Institute of Technology) Creative Commons w/attribution:photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
MIT students discussing what to do next, this is a team with many students on their solar car team.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Oregon State University students & alumnus with their sharp looking orange solar car. Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Principia College, a Liberal Arts College with only 500 students (and no Engineering College), have shown up/qualified in both World Solar Challenge 2011 in Australia and American Solar Challenge 2012 as a school with tremendous cooperative spirit and community support.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
University of Minnesota students discussing various issues involved in setting up for their display. Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Oregon State University students preparing for their display tent.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Michigan State University student guarding their solar car at the display area (Rochester Institute of Technology). Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
The other side of Illinois State University's charging team spirit, students and professors alike, to make this solar race possible.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
a good look of Oregon State University solar car.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Iowa State University solar car charging from the sun.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
University of Michigan students solving mechanical issues during the move.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
MIT students overlooking their Chopper Del Sol solar car engine for final check.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Principia College students also received warm reception from their alumnus (who proudly commented that for Principia College students, "sky is the limit").Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Charging moments/minutes for University of Minnesota solar car Sunpower.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Let's get a closer look of the Illinois State University's solar car.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Michigan State University with the new venture in solar race and alumnus and students anticipating solar future opportunities in our renewable energy age/world.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
MIT's Solar Electric Vehicle Team's beautiful Chopper Del Sol solar car.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Illinois State University students carefully deal with every step of setting up for their display.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
Iowa State University solar car Hyperion charging from the sun.Creative Commons w/attribution: photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker at www.sunisthefuture.net
This post may had been prepared/written earlier than the day it appears, but right after the finish of the Veolia World Solar Challenge (world solar car race of twenty countries, 3021 km (1877 mi) between Darwin, Australia, to Angle Vale (official finish line) and Adelaide (ceremonial finish line), Australia, and thirty-seven solar cars) I had to fly to a location/ country where my internet access was not very convenient (it kept on being disconnected whenever I tried to write). However, I was able to load up various video clips onto youtube and I hope many of you have been enjoying these videos about the Veolia World Solar Challenge of 2011. I understand one of you from Netherland is trying to gather as much information about the race as possible. Since this is my first time covering Veolia World Solar Challenge, or WSC (and only had time and budget for the start and end of the race), I hope these photos I took and video clips I uploaded (and filmed by Mike) to youtube will help to meet part of your need. I promise you in two years (next Veolia World Solar Challenge) more detailed coverage about the scrutineering process (before the race) and events along the race will be included. Please keep in mind that the goal and focus of this World Solar Challenge is to increase greater awareness and education for our future generations in application of solar energy in cars and to stimulate greater interest in math, science, and engineering. The emphasis is both in how far and how fast (rather than just how fast) these solar cars can go using energy from the sun. As a matter of fact, part of the rule this year had actually restricted total surface area of the solar cells to 6 sq m and of which only 3 sq m can be of GaAs (gallium arsenide) so to even the playing field. Facility is available if a solar car needs to be “trailered” when insufficient sunshine is available for the duration of the race. This year, due to the extra challenges of cloudiness, rain, and bush fire, only about 7 out of 37 solar cars were able to finish the course completely using solar energy. The atmosphere at WSC is friendly and encouraging rather than fiercely competitive. One finds this to be true either in the scrutineering process (insuring safety of drivers/pilots and those around), tracking of the timing (please refer to: http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/318_2011_veolia_world_solar_challenge_provisional_results_pending_protests.pdf), or in the finish presentation (ritual dip in the Victoria Fountain by all teams (those that were not too shy or too cold) at the end of the race or not so ritual “burning rubber” of the German team). Finally, I’d like to take my hat off to Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011 team for being able to pull off a race of this magnitude (involving solar cars from twenty countries) with mostly volunteers working together to make this race work. Running an organization composed of mostly volunteers is not the same as running a normal company (I’ve had experience in both and believe me, running an organization composed mostly of volunteers is not easy!). So, if any of you out there with good ideas (to help improve the solar car race), funding, or time to volunteer, perhaps you’d like to contact Mr. Chris Selwood (leader and rightful owner of Veolia World Solar Challenge) and/or the organization at http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/contact_us For the ease and convenience of our readers’ pleasures, there are written descriptions for these solar cars with each of the youtube video clip of the interviews for its team members. So please be sure to read (click on “Show more” at each youtube clip) about the descriptions for these solar cars. I tried to take photograph and to interview as many of the participating solar cars of Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011 as possible, but due to time constraint, please forgive me if I missed any one. With regard to all the video interviews at youtube, if any of the interviewees’ names is either misspelled or not mentioned, please feel free to contact me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com so I can make the necessary modification. Below, you will find links to our youtube clips/interviews with various teams and photographs of these solar cars. Keep in mind that these videos and photos pertaining to Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011 are under Creative Commons as long as you would attribute it/them to Sun Is The Future at http://sunisthefuture.net There will be more posts on human interest stories and lessons learned regarding Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011 later.
Nuon Solar Team’s Nuna 6 (Netherlands), 2nd Winning Team that arrived at Adelaide, Australia
9. Arrival of Nuna 6 of Nuon Solar Team (Netherlands), Second Winning Team of Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011, at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdNZei5kJmw
University of Michigan’s Quantum (USA), 3rd Winning Team that arrived at Adelaide, Australia
11. Arrival of Quantum of University of Michigan (USA), Top Third Winning Team of Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011, at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6yO30-5Q8
12. Interview with Ashiya University (Japan) Solar Car Project’s Ashiya Sky Ace V team (4th car that arrived) member at Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkKA2MKyYs
Ashiya University Solar Car Project’s Ashiya Sky Ace V (Japan), 4th Winning Team arriving at Adelaide, Australia
MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team’s Chopper Del Sol (USA)
25. Interview with MIT’s Chopper Del Sol (USA) team member minutes before the beginning of the race at Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8r2rVpfnEM
