A group of U students are accomplishing something never before done in Utah: They are building the state’s first competitive solar car.
James Allison, director of the U’s Solar Vehicle Design Team, started the project with fellow engineering students in September of 2001. He became interested in the idea of solar cars after watching the World Solar Challenge race held in Australia.
“I wanted to do something innovative. That desire coupled with fact that Utah lacked a solar car team led to the project,” Allison said.
The solar car team is composed of 80 students from a variety of majors including English, business, physics and engineering.
“We wanted this to be more than an engineering club,” Allison said.
The team goal is to not only provide students with a unique educational experience but to help raise public awareness of alternative energy sources and clean energy technology, according to Allison.
When the team completes construction of the car by the target date in February, they will begin to prepare for the American Solar Challenge. The challenge is a 2,300 mile cross-country race on the famous Route 66 in which teams from all over the world will be racing vehicles without using a drop of gas.
One roadblock standing in the way of the team making the race is the cost of the project. Building a competitive solar car that can compete with schools such as Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an expensive endeavor but, with the help of sponsors, the team is close to reaching its goal.
Some of the materials needed to build a solar car include a solar- paneled shell for the car’s body, special tires and brakes and tubing for the vehicle’s frame.
“We’ve made a little headway, but we still have a way to go,” Allison said. While the team has already raised about $75,000, Allison estimates that it will take another $25,000 to get the car running and race ready.
Companies currently sponsoring the car include Inter-mountain Solar Tech., Klutz, Systronix, Young Corporation and Checker Auto Parts. Allison also mentioned a possible sponsorship that was pending from Pacificorp.
There is also an ongoing fund raiser called the “adopt-a-cell” program where individuals interested in helping the project can donate money to help the team but solar cells to power the car.
“It has been quite a challenge but we’re making it happen,” Allison said. “We hope the community will be proud of their first solar car.”
Information on the team can be found at www.utah.edu/solar.