Solar Vehicles from Japan
The 2009 Global Green Challenge as been won by the Japanese Tokai Challenger solar car. The race, which is run ever two years, is a gruelling 3000 kilometre dash across the Australian outback. This year there were 32 solar vehicles entered from 16 countries competing. Coming in second place was Infinium, from the US University of Michigan.
The race was originally for solar powered vehicles and is seen as a competitive demonstration for the latest technologies. A second category has recently introduced for the show casing for environmentally friendly cars. This is not just limited to experimental vehicles and those currently in production can also be seen.
Keeping things Japanese, Mitsubishi Chemical have demonstrated a solar energy assisted truck. While not actually powering the truck it self, the photovoltaic solar panels will assist in powering the electrical parts of the vehicle. Lighting and air-conditioning will be powered by the 900 watt output solar panels and thus reducing the for running these off the motor while the vehicle is stationary.
Currently in trials it is hoped to begin production vehicles in 2012 and the possibility of integrating the system in to passenger cars. Other forms of transport may be suitable adapt , like mini vans and busses for this technology. Converting all of Japan`s trucks to this technology could save 1.6 million tons of CO2 from being released in to the atmosphere.
This is another small advance for solar, while the trucks will still be oozing pollution as they move around from destination to destination. The effect will be more noticeable where they converge like truck stops and loading stations. Much like the solar powered ships in dock, the less CO2 released at those locations will make for a cleaner working environment for the workforce.
Related posts: