Sharp Corporation will provide solar cells to the Tokai University team*1 taking part in the solar car category of the Global Green Challenge. The drivers will include Kenjiro Shinozuka, who in 1997 became the first Japanese to achieve overall victory in the Paris to Dakar Rally.
The solar car category of the Global Green Challenge has vehicles powered only by the Sun’s energy traverse the Australian continent in one of the world’s largest solar car races. In this race, universities and other organizations from around the world will cover about 3,000 km—from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south—in cars developed with support from corporate sponsors.
Sharp will provide Tokai University with compound solar cells having a cell conversion efficiency of 30% and a total output of 1.8 kW. Compound solar cells are currently used mainly in artificial satellites. Sharp first developed solar cells for satellites in 1967*2 to satisfy the high conversion efficiency and reliability required in outer space applications. Even today Sharp is the only manufacturer whose solar cells are approved for use by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
By providing these highly efficient solar cells, Sharp will allow Tokai University’s “Tokai Challenger” solar car to maximize its performance under the harsh conditions of this race.
Overview of the Global Green Challenge
| Purpose: |
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Contribute to a future of environmentally friendly transportation through the development and racing of solar cars and electric vehicles. |
| Race duration: |
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October 25 to 31, 2009 |
| Race course: |
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Darwin to Adelaide (distance of approx. 3,000 km), Australia |
| Organized by: |
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South Australian Motor Sport Board (established by the state government of South Australia) |
| Web site: |
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http://www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au/ |
| *1 |
The team name is Tokai University Challenge Center Team. This 19-member project team is made up mainly of students led by Professor Hideki Kimura, who researches high-efficiency solar cars at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering. |
| *2 |
The first solar cells that Sharp developed for outer space applications, in 1967, were monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The company went on to develop compound solar cells for use in outer space in order to provide higher conversion efficiencies. |
| The above information is true and accurate at the time of publication. Manufacture, sale, price and specifications of products may be subject to change. |
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