SolarWorld AG presents solar racer ‘SolarWorld No.1’
25 May 2007 /Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP
http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/11865889/
Young generation of engineers builds new solar racing car for world championship in Australia. After about one year of development time SolarWorld AG will be presenting its new type of racing car called SolarWorld No.1 to the public fort he first time on the occasion of ist Annual General Meeting. The racer propelled by the power of the sun was developed and built by engineering students of the Bochum University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with SolarWorld AG.
The solar racing car that mainly consists of carbon fibers will enter the unofficial world championship of solar motor racing, the Panasonic World Solar Challenge, in Australia from 21 to 28 October 2007.
‘SolarWorld No.1 is setting new standards in solar motor sports’, says Dipl.-Ing. Frank H. Asbeck, Chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG. ‘Using comprehensive, first rate engineering know-how and highly efficient solar technology we see ourselves in pole position to win the race’, he says sticking his neck out.
SolarWorld AG is the main sponsor of the solar racer which has a kerb weight of 150 kilograms and reaches a top speed of 120 km/h. Its appealing design was inspired by the shape of a dolphin meeting the requirements of optimum aerodynamics. The vehicle is driven by a highly efficient solar generator that catches the sunlight on a total surface of six square meters. More than 40 budding engineers participated in the design of this unique racing car.
Sponsoring to promote young engineers
‘The main AIM of our sponsoring activities is to demonstrate the technological efficiency and readiness for use of solar energy and in doing so to promote our best young people. By making young scientists from areas like mechanical engineering, mechatronics, computer science and electrical engineering aware of the technological potentials of solar energy we support the technological development of tomorrow’.
In the Panasonic World Solar Challenge SolarWorld No.1 will start in the Premium Class where the number of participating teams is expected to go into double digits. In this category the pilots have to sit upright. This is why the looks of the SolarWorld entry are much more reminiscent of a true racing car than was the case with previous models in which drivers were lying down.
The race covers some 3,000 kilometers going once right across the Australian continent from Darwin on the North Coast to the harbor city of Adelaide in the South. In the seven days of the race the teams will face a challenging route profile with deserts and mountains. The only energy allowed is solar power. Hybrid drives are not permitted.
About SolarWorld AG:
The SolarWorld Group (ISIN: DE0005108401) is among the top trio of the solar power industry worldwide. The group is dedicated exclusively to the core business of solar energy, combining all stages of the solar value chain, from the raw material silicon to turn-key solar power plants. The company operates production facilities in Germany, Sweden and the USA.