pinas la salle solar car doing good in international race done in australia


Close this MANILA, Philippines -- SINAG, the Philippines' first fully
functional solar car, has reached the halfway point of the 3,000-
kilometer stretch of the World Solar Challenge being held in central
Australia.

After breaching the 2,000-kilometer distance from Darwin to Cadney
Homestead on Thursday, SINAG jumped to 11th place but continued to
maintain the lead in the Challenge Class of the race, consisting of
about 40 participants, according to a press statement from the SINAG
team.

The World Solar Challenge is a solar powered-car race over 3,021
kilometers through central Australia from Darwin to Adelaide.

A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy obtained
from solar panels on the surface of the car. Photovoltaic (PV) cells
convert the sun's energy directly into electrical energy.

The race, which started on Oct. 21, has attracted teams from around
the world, most of which are fielded by governments or corporations
keen to promote the development of alternative energy technology, and
universities to develop their students' engineering and technological
skills.

Teachers, students built it

The SINAG solar car was designed and built by a group of faculty
members and students from the mechanical engineering and the
electronics and communications engineering departments of De La Salle
University, with support from Ford Phil., Motolite, Philippine
Airlines, San Miguel Corp, Shell, SunPower, U-Freight and Ventus.

According to SINAG's technical team, the solar car has been performing
better than expected since the start of the race.

SINAG was easily able to surpass the 1,000-kilometer mark without
needing to rely on auxiliary power, an option which, although allowed
by contest rules, would result in a reduction of the team's overall
score, the team said.

Though it encountered a minor problem with the brake system which
caused the car's tires to wear out faster, Team SINAG has experienced
no major technical difficulties and has more than made up for lost
time, the statement said.

"We are making good time so we can make it to Adelaide by Saturday or
early Sunday morning," said lead driver Eric Tan.

"We just need to reach the next designated control stops before the
deadline in order for us to be able to continue to race. Missing two
control stops will disqualify us," said Tan.

Last two stops

On Friday, SINAG will make its way to the last two control centers in
Glen Dambo and Port Augusta, before the finish of the race in
Adelaide.

The La Salle students have been feeling triumphant after the solar car
they built has been performing better than the other entrants.

"Whether or not we finish this race, we feel we've already
accomplished our goal of building a working solar car and letting
people at home know that solar power is a viable and reliable source
of energy," said Robert Obiles, the student team leader.

"Plus, this has been one great big adventure," he said

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