Pinoy solar car team heads to Australia for int'l race

An official send-off was held on Friday for the Philippine contingent to the 2011 World Solar Challenge (WSC), putting the team in high gear in anticipation of the upcoming race against competitors from around the world. Considered the most prestigious solar car race in the world, the WSC is a 3,000km race across the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide, which will take place from October 16 to 23 with 39 participants from 20 countries. The team to Australia is composed of 12 students and four faculty members from Manila’s De La salle University, the first academic instituion in the country to accept the challenge of the Australian race. “The team is honored to represent the country. Our seven months of hard work will finaly be put to the test once we join the race. Our countrymen hve always been our inspiration in joining the World Solar Challenge," team leader Jack Catalan said. Improvements on 'Sinag' In 2007, The Philippine team's "Sinag" car pulled a surprise finish when it landed on the 12th in a field of 40 racers from countries such as United States of America, Japan, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Building on this experience, the Sikat II features a more aerodynamic design, more efficient solar panels, and weighs ligther than Sinag and its immediate predecessor called Sikat I The car was designed and assembled the solar cars was a way of creating awareness about the need to develop and use clean and renewable energy sources such as solar power. The Philippines can do it too Philippine Solar Car Challenge Society Inc. president Ramon Agustines praised Sikat II, saying it is proof that even a Third World country like the Philippines can develop ways to tap solar energy. “A solar car does not need gasoline nor spew toxic fumes to the atmosphere. It is actually an electric vehicle powered by energy obtained from the limitless energy of the sun with the use of solar panels, known also as photovoltaic (PV) cells, the solar panels convert light into electricity to drive the vehicle’s motor," he added. “We just need the courage to jump into it and we are here to prove that it is possible", Agustines added. Sikat II: An all-Filipino design The P6 million Sikat II was designed and produced by young Filipino engineers from De La Salle University. The body of Sikat II is made of lightweight carbon fiber honeycomb composite and is supposedly faster than its predecessors, Sinag and Sikat I. This vehicle has a top speed of 110km per hour and has a two kilowatt motor. Weighing less than 180 kilograms, the lightest car that Team Solar Philippines has ever designed. The magnificent Philippine made solar powered car was shipped ahead from Manila to Darwin last month, has bouyed hopes of a strong performance in the WSC, according to Catalan. — TJD, GMA News