World Solar Challenge – the most awaited 1800 mile race of the energy efficient and hi-tech vehicles is around, and people who are into energy efficient driving are doing the best of efforts to participate and win the race. A team of students from Deft University of Technology, Netherlands is also preparing hard to win the competition and has recently revealed their lightest solar powered vehicle recently.
The latest version, named as Nuna6 is basically an improvised version of its predecessor Nuna5 with better technology and efficient designing. At 145Kgs or 320Ibs Nuna6 is almost 33Ibs lighter than Nuna5 and is 15 inches shorter with 10 percent less air resistance. The most important change made in Nuna6 is the replacement of gallium-arsenide triple Junction cells with silicon cells. The decision to change the fuel source was taken due to the implementation of new rules which made it mandatory either to use silicon cells or other source of photovoltaic technology.
Every two years the World Solar Challenge takes place in Australia where participants zoom through the heart of the country and showcase best of eco-friendly technologies and efficient vehicles to the world. This year the race is scheduled between 16-23 October. The team has also contrived the design of the three wheeled vehicle to lower the air resistance. The latest version offers almost 10 percent lesser air resistance than its precursor Nuna5. After four consecutive victories since 2001 and one defeat in 2009 by Tokai University, team Nuna is back with full vigor and high hopes of winning competition this year through its far better and efficient version of Nuna6.
Via: Gizmag
