The Bren School of Environmental Science and Management just announced that it will host the SolarWorld Gran Turismo (GT), a solar-powered vehicle that is seeking to become the first to circumnavigate the globe, on Friday, Feb. 3, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm between Bren Hall and MSI. “The SolarWorld GT began the U.S. leg of its “World Wide Solar Ride” in Half Moon Bay, Calif. (It has already crossed Australia and New Zealand and was then transported by ship to San Francisco.) From the Bren School, it will make its way down the California coast and then across the southern U.S., ending its transcontinental run in South Carolina before being shipped to Spain to begin the European leg. The 49-day U.S. portion will cover 3,774 miles and include five planned stops and visits to universities, nonprofit organizations, and SolarWorld’s commercial hub in Camarillo, California. SolarWorld is the largest manufacturer of solar panels in the U.S.
This journey will establish the Guinness Book of World Records benchmark for the longest distance ever covered by a solar car. The SolarWorld GT, a collaboration between SolarWorld and the Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany, is a two-seater sports car fueled by roof-integrated solar panels. At each stop, SolarWorld representatives will join the vehicle’s drivers, crew, and the college students who developed and designed the vehicle at the Bochum University of Applied Sciences to host a reception showcasing the car.”
“Since 1999, students of the Bochum University of Applied Sciences have been developing solar-cars, which are exclusively powered by the energy of the sun. The Project originated at London South Bank University, a partner of Bochum University of Applied Sciences. After being developed by German students in London, Mad Dog III competed at the World Solar Challenge (WSC) in Australia in 2001. “Hans Go!” was a solar powered car which was constructed in the years 2001 to 2003. It won 5th place in 2003 and 8th place in 2005 when it took part in this unofficial world championship for solar powered cars […] SolarWorld No. 1 was planned and built in the years from 2005 to 2007 and came in 4th place at the World Solar Challenge in 2007. On top of this, the car was granted the award for ‘Best Design’ […] In 2009, a new vehicle was built for the World Solar Challenge. The BOcruiser was the first car built with typical car dimensions and not designed as a race car […]
Two doors, two seats, and circumnavigation of the world – these are the objectives for the newest development of the SolarCar Bochum manufactory. The recent sun-speedster is called SolarWorld Gran Turismo (SolarWorld GT) and has already mastered the first journeys. The University of Applied Sciences Bochum wants to be consistent in daily electro mobility. The development from a ‘rolling Ping-Pong table’ to a functional car is striking. For the first time, it is possible to enter the car by two vehicle doors and not as before by lifting up a topside. The bivalve construction was replaced by a monocoque construction. The two seats and interior design of the SolarWorld GT offer a lot of possibilities, for example the in-car interpretation of data. Improved energy and efficient design make the solar car more appealing to the public” (source).
