The Solar Car Challenges

A solar car is an electric car that is powered by solar panels. Photovoltaic cells convert sun into energy.

Are solar cars ready for primetime? Probably not for most of us.

That is, unless you you are ready to shell out $117,000 plus tax. If that’s not a problem, you might be interested in the Venturi Astrolab electro-solar hybrid car. Here’s the solar car video  just in case you’re interested.

Well, with around $5,000 you could build your own SUNN – solar powered electric car kit. This car would be great for parades, or if you live a few miles out of town. Here’s Art Haines to tell you more in the video.

For the majority of us, we’ll have to stick to watching solar car racing.

The North American Solar Challenge is a solar race that runs across the United States and Canada. The next scheduled race should be in July of 2010.

Teams in North America participate, teams from colleges and universities. On July 13-22, 2008, the solar car race ran from Dallas, Texas to Calgary, Alberta. That’s a 2400 mile journey that took 10 days to get there. Oh, the gas mileage must have been phenomenal!

And there’s also the World Solar Challenge (Global Green Challenge). It goes across Australia, from Darwin to Adelaide, October 25 -31, 2009. Hooroo mate!