Innovative solar powered car in Australian student race
In late October, a spectacular race is annually conducted in Australia. Engineering students from around the world compete with own-developed vehicles powered by solar energy. Jönköping University Solar Team was this year the only Scandinavian participants.
The World Solar Challenge is a contest that annually takes place in Australia. Technology Students from all over the world are invited, and the task is to test electric cars powered by solar energy that the student teams have developed domestically. During intense days October 18 to 23 2015 the cars were traveling the 3,000 km between Darwin and Adelaide to test performance and efficiency. The allowed maximum surface for solar panels is six square meters.
Happy students crossed the finish line
As the only participant team from Scandinavia, Jönköping University competed with their project "Solbritt", an electric car built by a team of 11 students. On October 23 the finish line in Adelaide was crossed in an honorable 15th place after a run of about 50 hours. An average speed of up to 100 km/h was achieved at some distances. "Solbritt" is 4.5 meters long, 1.8 meters wide, 1.2 meters high and the total weight is 200 kg. With a solar panel with a conversion efficiency of 24 percent the car is powered by solar energy as the only energy source.
“We are extremely pleased with our performance. This puts Jönköping on the global green energy map and shows that Swedish engineering holds a forefront position, says Johanna Svensk from the Jönköping University Solar Team.
Lesjöfors is sponsoring with chassis springs
The innovative electric car is built with chassis springs sponsored by Lesjöfors. The Lesjöfors Group frequently helps student projects like this and sees great value in sponsorships.
“At an early stage we can establish contact with students who in a few years will be key persons in our customer companies. Moreover, we have the opportunity to introduce and test our high-quality products in real projects. Sponsorships like this provide major benefits for all parties”, says Niklas Movitz, Project Manager and Key Account Manager at Lesjöfors Industrifjädrar in Hudene, Sverige.
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