Tokai Challenger : Sharp Gets Ready for the Global Green Challenge

Sharp, in collaboration with Tokai University, released the Tokai Challenger, a 77 x 39mm car covered by 6m2 of solar panels with only one goal: crossing Australia as fast as possible without using any other type of energy than solar… While currently the Tokai Challenger may not be able to transport your family, it can reach a 150km/h maximum speed…

Impressive!

Construction has been completed on Tokai University’s solar car equipped with Sharp solar cells boasting the highest level of conversion efficiency in the world. A team from Tokai University will use this solar car in the Global Green Challenge, one of the world’s largest solar car races, to be held from October 24 to 31, 2009.

The solar car category of the Global Green Challenge has vehicles powered only by the sun’s energy traverse the Australian continent for a distance of about 3,000 km. Tokai University drivers will include Kenjiro Shinozuka, who in 1997 became the first Japanese to achieve overall victory in the Paris to Dakar Rally, as well as Tokai University students and alumni.

The “Tokai Challenger” solar car is equipped with Sharp compound solar cells developed for outer space applications. The cells have an output of 1.8 kW and a cell conversion efficiency of 30%, the highest level in the world.

Sharp is the only manufacturer whose solar cells are approved for use by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Sharp will continue pushing forward with R&D on compound solar cells, in addition to crystalline and thin-film solar cells, which are currently Sharp’s main solar power products.

Overview of the Global Green Challenge
Race duration: October 24 to 31, 2009
Race course: Darwin to Adelaide (distance of approx. 3,000 km), Australia
Organized by: South Australian Motor Sport Board (established by the state government of South Australia)
Web site: http://www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au/