Driving a solar car equipped with Sharp compound solar cells, the Tokai University team won the Global Green Challenge, one of the world’s largest solar car races.
On October 25, the solar car team from Tokai University began its impressive run from Darwin in the north of Australia to Adelaide in the south, covering the approximately 3,000 kilometers at an average speed of about 100 kilometers per hour. The team’s journey ended at 2:39 p.m. (local time) on October 28, when its car, the Tokai Challenger, crossed the finish line in first place, well ahead of the second-place finisher. The event continues until October 31 and the awards ceremony is to be held on the same day.
The high performance of Sharp’s solar cell was proven by the amazing drive of the Tokai University team, including Kenjiro Shinozuka, Japan’s leading rally driver.
Overview of the Global Green Challenge
| • Race duration: |
October 24 to 31, 2009
Saturday October 24: Official time trial
Sunday October 25: Race starts from Darwin
Saturday October 31: Awards ceremony to be held in Adelaide |
| • Race course: |
Darwin to Adelaide (distance of approximately 3,000 km), Australia |
| • Organized by: |
South Australian Motor Sport Board (established by the state government of South Australia) |
| • Web site: |
http://www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au/ |
Overview of Tokai University Team
The team, named Tokai University Challenge Center Team, is led by Professor Hideki Kimura, who researches high-efficiency solar cars at Tokai University School of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The team for this year’s race is made up of 19 members, mostly students.
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